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ICD-10 Code D44.2: Neoplasm of uncertain behavior of parathyroid gland

D44.2 is a billable ICD-10 diagnosis code used to classify Neoplasm of uncertain behavior of parathyroid gland in medical records and claims. You may see this code in hospital records, discharge summaries, insurance claims, encounter documentation, referrals, or other healthcare billing and coding records. ICD-10 codes are diagnosis classification codes used in healthcare records, reporting, coding workflows, and billing support. This code sits within the broader ICD-10 area for Neoplasms (C00-D49).

What is this code?

ICD-10 codes are diagnosis classification codes used in healthcare records, reporting, coding workflows, and billing support. This code sits within the broader ICD-10 area for Neoplasms (C00-D49).

đź“‹Clinical overview

A parathyroid neoplasm of uncertain behavior is a growth in parathyroid tissue whose benign or malignant nature cannot be established histologically, by examining the tissue. It is not automatically parathyroid cancer or a benign adenoma. The parathyroid glands make PTH, a hormone involved in calcium balance, and are different from the nearby thyroid. This code does not identify the exact tumor subtype, hormone activity, blood calcium level or treatment needed.

When is it used?

  • May be used when a clinician documents neoplasm of uncertain behavior of parathyroid gland in a patient's medical record.
  • May appear in hospital records, claims, referrals, and clinical documentation.
  • This code can be used as a clinically usable diagnosis entry in standardized coding workflows.

What it does not mean

  • A code alone does not explain severity, treatment plan, or outcome.
  • A medical code should not be treated as a substitute for a doctor's diagnosis or advice.

đź©şClinical context

When commonly used
  • Records documenting uncertain behavior of a parathyroid growth. This is distinct from unspecified behavior, a confirmed benign neoplasm and a confirmed malignancy; uncertainty is not merely a missing appointment or an investigation still pending.
  • An atypical parathyroid tumor is one specific pathology entity with uncertain malignant potential. D44.2 alone does not establish that subtype or any particular microscopic feature; use the actual report rather than converting every uncertain-behavior page into the same diagnosis.
  • Hormone effects and tumor behavior are separate questions. If a growth produces excess PTH, high calcium may affect the bones and kidneys, but this code does not establish hyperparathyroidism, kidney stones or bone loss in every person.
Common workup
  • Review the original pathology and operative reports with an endocrine specialist, including whether experienced endocrine-pathology review is appropriate. Ask what was found and what remains uncertain; a neck scan alone does not determine benign or malignant behavior.
  • Calcium and PTH are interpreted together, with kidney function, vitamin D, urine calcium or bone assessment where relevant. Tiredness, thirst, constipation and frequent urination can occur with hormone-related calcium changes but do not establish the cause or a blood result by themselves.
  • Selected tissue stains or genetic assessment may help answer a specific question. A tumor-marker result is not by itself proof of cancer or an inherited condition, and D44.2 does not supply a parafibromin result, a CDC73 variant or a mandatory genetic-testing panel.
Common management context
  • Agree the next steps with the specialist using the precise pathology, previous treatment, symptoms and biochemical findings. The broad code does not prescribe a new operation, the extent of surgery or a cancer-drug or radiation regimen.
  • If excess PTH or abnormal calcium is established, its treatment is a separate priority. Medicines, surgery or monitoring depend on the findings and individual circumstances. General advice for a straightforward overactive adenoma is not automatically the plan for an uncertain-behavior growth.
  • Ask for an individualized follow-up plan and which changes should prompt earlier review. Published guidance supports long-term monitoring after surgery for certain atypical tumors, but this code does not establish that subtype or supply a universal surveillance interval, recurrence estimate or prognosis.
  • Discuss medicines, calcium and vitamin D supplements and dietary questions with the team. Do not restrict calcium or change prescribed treatment on your own. If surgery has occurred, follow the team's instructions about blood checks and any calcium replacement rather than assuming levels must remain high.

🔍Key distinctions

Important notes
  • New marked confusion, severe weakness or persistent vomiting warrants prompt medical assessment, especially when calcium is known to be abnormal. Do not wait for a routine pathology review; symptoms alone cannot establish a calcium level or prove cancer.
  • Uncertain behavior is not a fixed probability of malignancy or inevitable progression. Do not apply recurrence or survival figures from confirmed parathyroid cancer to an individual with this code, or silently recode the growth as benign or malignant.
  • The site is parathyroid, not thyroid. Thyroid-specific cytology categories, low-risk thyroid tumor labels and radioactive-iodine treatment advice should not be transferred to this page because the gland names sound similar.
  • Family history or particular tissue findings may justify genetic counselling, but a tumor change is not automatically inherited. The code does not diagnose a multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome or establish a condition in relatives.
Related codes to consider
D44.0Neoplasm of uncertain behavior of thyroid gland
Related uncertain-behavior endocrine-site code for navigation; different sites have different tissue criteria, hormone effects and care plans, not interchangeable diagnoses.
D44.1Neoplasm of uncertain behavior of adrenal gland
Related uncertain-behavior endocrine-site code for navigation; different sites have different tissue criteria, hormone effects and care plans, not interchangeable diagnoses.
D44.3Neoplasm of uncertain behavior of pituitary gland
Related uncertain-behavior endocrine-site code for navigation; different sites have different tissue criteria, hormone effects and care plans, not interchangeable diagnoses.
D44.4Neoplasm of uncertain behavior of craniopharyngeal duct
Related uncertain-behavior endocrine-site code for navigation; different sites have different tissue criteria, hormone effects and care plans, not interchangeable diagnoses.

Code hierarchy

chapter
2Neoplasms (C00-D49)
block
D37-D48Neoplasms of uncertain behavior, polycythemia vera and myelodysplastic syndromes
category
D44Neoplasm of uncertain behavior of endocrine glands
currentD44

Where you may see this code

You may see this code in hospital records, discharge summaries, insurance claims, encounter documentation, referrals, or other healthcare billing and coding records.

Related specialists

OncologistGeneral PhysicianEndocrinologist

Coverage-related procedures and services

CPT 70460high
COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY, HEAD OR BRAIN; WITH CONTRAST MATERIAL(S)
Source: CMS coverage guidance
CPT 70450high
COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY, HEAD OR BRAIN; WITHOUT CONTRAST MATERIAL
Source: CMS coverage guidance
CPT 70470high
COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY, HEAD OR BRAIN; WITHOUT CONTRAST MATERIAL, FOLLOWED BY CONTRAST MATERIAL(S) AND FURTHER SECTIONS
Source: CMS coverage guidance
CPT 64417high
INJECTION(S), ANESTHETIC AGENT(S) AND/OR STEROID; AXILLARY NERVE, INCLUDING IMAGING GUIDANCE, WHEN PERFORMED
Source: CMS coverage guidance
CPT 64416high
INJECTION(S), ANESTHETIC AGENT(S) AND/OR STEROID; BRACHIAL PLEXUS, CONTINUOUS INFUSION BY CATHETER (INCLUDING CATHETER PLACEMENT), INCLUDING IMAGING GUIDANCE, WHEN PERFORMED
Source: CMS coverage guidance
CPT 64415high
INJECTION(S), ANESTHETIC AGENT(S) AND/OR STEROID; BRACHIAL PLEXUS, INCLUDING IMAGING GUIDANCE, WHEN PERFORMED
Source: CMS coverage guidance

Coding guidelines

Compatibility

Legacy and official ICD code match exactly.
Legacy codes
D44.2

Common synonyms

Neoplasm of uncertain behavior of parathyroid gland

Frequently asked questions

Code details

CodeD44.2
SystemICD10
Display nameNeoplasm of uncertain behavior of parathyroid gland
ChapterNeoplasms (C00-D49)
BlockNeoplasms of uncertain behavior, polycythemia vera and myelodysplastic syndromes

Flags

BillableYes
Valid clinical useYes

Source

SourceICD-10
Version2026-annual
Releaseannual
Year2026

About this content

This page is prepared by HealthAssure's clinical team using official coding standards from ICD-10. AI tools assist with drafting explanations, which are then reviewed and verified by healthcare professionals for accuracy. This content is for informational purposes and does not replace professional medical advice. Meet our team.