D44.3

Billable

Neoplasm of uncertain behavior of pituitary gland

HCC Category Mapping

V28HCC 23 — Melanoma and Other Skin Cancers

0.251

V24HCC 12 — Breast, Prostate, and Other Cancers and Tumors

0.150

ESRDHCC 12 — Breast, Prostate, and Other Cancers and Tumors

0.000

RxHCCHCC 22 — Cancer, Other Specified Sites

0.000

What This Code Means

A tumor of the pituitary gland (small gland at the base of the brain) that cannot yet be classified as definitely benign or malignant.

Coding Tips

•Document functional status if known (hormone-secreting vs. non-functional)
•Coordinate with endocrinology notes and imaging to support uncertain behavior classification

Clinical Significance

Neoplasms of uncertain behavior of the pituitary gland include atypical pituitary adenomas with features that prevent definitive benign or malignant classification. These tumors can cause significant endocrine dysfunction through hormone hypersecretion (acromegaly, Cushing disease, hyperprolactinemia) or hypopituitarism from mass effect on normal pituitary tissue.

Documentation Requirements

✓Documentation must specify the pituitary gland location, supported by sellar magnetic resonance imaging and pathology.
✓Functional status (hormone-secreting versus non-functional) should be documented along with relevant hormone levels.
✓Pathology should describe atypical features including elevated Ki-67 index, mitotic activity, or p53 expression that support uncertain behavior.

Use Additional Code

code to identify any functional activity.

Commonly Confused Codes

D35.2 (benign neoplasm of pituitary gland) is used for typical pituitary adenomas with benign behavior.C75.1 (malignant neoplasm of pituitary gland) is used for pituitary carcinomas.D44.4 (uncertain behavior of craniopharyngeal duct) involves a different sellar structure.E22.0 (acromegaly) or E24.0 (Cushing disease) may be coded additionally for hormonal effects.

Code Hierarchy

└D44Neoplasm of uncertain behavior of endocrine glands └D44.3Neoplasm of uncertain behavior of pituitary gland

└D44.3Neoplasm of uncertain behavior of pituitary gland