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ICD-10-CM C78.32: Secondary malignant neoplasm of pharynx

C78.32 is the billable ICD-10-CM code for secondary malignant neoplasm of pharynx, in category C78 (Secondary malignant neoplasm of respiratory and digestive organs) of the Malignant neoplasms of ill-defined, other secondary and unspecified sites section. As a principal diagnosis it groups to MS-DRG 180 Respiratory Neoplasms with MCC, MS-DRG 181 Respiratory Neoplasms with CC, MS-DRG 182 Respiratory Neoplasms without CC/MCC (MDC 04 MDC 04: Diseases and Disorders of the Respiratory System). As a secondary diagnosis it is a CC, excluded with 28 principal diagnoses. 8 LCD billing and coding articles list it as covered. C78.32 is new for FY2027.

Compiled from CMS files by the QuickIntell RCM Editorial Team · Data effective · Method: reference methodology · Report a data correction

Data currency: ICD-10-CM code descriptions: FY2027 (effective October 1, 2026); IPPS Table 5 (MS-DRG weights): v44 FY2027 (final rule + CN3) (effective October 1, 2026); ICD-10-CM to HCC mapping: PY2027 initial ICD-10-CM mappings (dates of service 2026) (payment year 2027); Medicare Coverage Database billing and coding articles: MCD release October 8, 2026 (effective October 4, 2026). Next CMS release: FY2028 code files, effective October 1, 2027 for the ICD-10-CM code descriptions; FY2028 final rule (August 2027), effective October 1, 2027; an April 1 interim grouper update when CMS issues one for the IPPS Table 5 (MS-DRG weights); PY2028 advance notice (February 2027) and the PY2027 midyear final mapping (spring 2027) for the ICD-10-CM to HCC mapping; weekly, every Thursday for the Medicare Coverage Database billing and coding articles.

Code
C78.32
billable FY2027 ICD-10-CM code
Category
C78 Secondary malignant neoplasm of respiratory and digestive organs
Chapter
2: Neoplasms (C00-D49)
CC/MCC (MS-DRG v44)
CC
CMS-HCC V28
Not mapped
POA reporting
Required
FY2027 change
New code

Tabular list notes for C78.32

The tabular list has no notes on C78.32 itself; the notes below apply from its parent headings.

Inherited from C78 (Secondary malignant neoplasm of respiratory and digestive organs)

Excludes1 (never coded together)
  • secondary carcinoid tumors of liver (C7B.02)
  • secondary carcinoid tumors of peritoneum (C7B.04)
Excludes2 (not part of this condition, may be coded together)
  • lymph node metastases (C77.0)

MS-DRG grouping when C78.32 is the principal diagnosis

MS-DRG v44 groups for C78.32 as principal diagnosis
MDCMS-DRGs
04 MDC 04: Diseases and Disorders of the Respiratory System180181182

The final group also depends on procedures, secondary diagnoses and discharge status; the MS-DRG lookup for C78.32 shows the full grouping logic.

CC/MCC status and inpatient edits

As a secondary diagnosis, C78.32 is a CC under MS-DRG v44, unless the principal diagnosis is one of the 28 codes in its exclusion list. Check C78.32 against a principal diagnosis.

  • Present on admission: a POA indicator is required on inpatient claims.

CMS-HCC V28 risk adjustment

C78.32 does not map to a payment HCC in the PY2027 CMS-HCC V28 model, so on its own it does not change a Medicare Advantage risk score.

LCD billing and coding articles that list C78.32

8 current Medicare billing and coding articles list C78.32 among the diagnoses that support medical necessity for the services they cover.

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Frequently asked questions

What does ICD-10-CM C78.32 mean?

C78.32 means secondary malignant neoplasm of pharynx. It is one of 15 billable codes under C78, secondary malignant neoplasm of respiratory and digestive organs.

Which MS-DRG does C78.32 group to?

As the principal diagnosis, C78.32 groups to MS-DRG 180 Respiratory Neoplasms with MCC, MS-DRG 181 Respiratory Neoplasms with CC, MS-DRG 182 Respiratory Neoplasms without CC/MCC (MDC 04 MDC 04: Diseases and Disorders of the Respiratory System) under MS-DRG v44, before procedures and secondary diagnoses are applied.

Is C78.32 a CC or MCC?

C78.32 is a CC under MS-DRG v44; 28 principal diagnoses exclude it.

Sources

Every figure on this page is taken from the CMS publications below, as released by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Projection built 2026-10-10. Verify against the primary file before billing or contracting decisions. The reference methodology explains how each figure is computed from these files.

Disclaimer

The descriptor and notes are reproduced from the FY2027 ICD-10-CM files; MS-DRG, CC/MCC and HCC facts come from the CMS FY2027 and PY2027 tables. Code from the medical record and the ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines. Not legal, clinical or billing advice.

Found a figure that does not match the CMS file? Report a data correction with the CMS file and the value you expected; the request reaches the editorial team through the contact form.