C77.9
BillableSecondary and unspecified malignant neoplasm of lymph node, unspecified
HCC Category Mapping
V28HCC 18 — Metastatic Cancer to Peritoneum and Other Specified Sites
0.368V24HCC 10 — Lymphoma and Other Cancers
0.675ESRDHCC 10 — Lymphoma and Other Cancers
0.000RxHCCHCC 20 — Cancer, Liver and Intrahepatic Bile Duct
0.000What This Code Means
Cancer that has spread to a lymph node, but the specific location of the affected lymph node is not documented or specified.
Coding Tips
- •This is a non-specific code; use only when the anatomical location of lymph node involvement cannot be determined from documentation
- •Request clarification from the provider regarding lymph node location to assign a more specific C77 code when possible
Clinical Significance
Secondary lymph node malignancy indicates cancer has metastasized from a primary site to lymph nodes, confirming advanced-stage disease requiring aggressive treatment. Lymph node metastases significantly affect staging, prognosis, and treatment planning. Using the unspecified code reduces clinical utility and may trigger queries from payers.
Documentation Requirements
- ✓Primary cancer site must be identified and documented separately
- ✓Anatomical location of affected lymph node(s) — cervical, axillary, inguinal, mediastinal, etc.
- ✓Number and size of involved lymph nodes if available
- ✓Method of confirmation — biopsy, imaging (CT, PET scan), or clinical assessment
- ✓Whether involvement is unilateral or bilateral
Commonly Confused Codes
C77.0-C77.8 — Site-specific secondary lymph node neoplasm codes; always prefer these over C77.9 when anatomical location is documentedC85.90 — Non-Hodgkin lymphoma, unspecified; lymphoma is a primary lymph node cancer, not metastatic diseaseC96.9 — Malignant neoplasm of lymphoid, hematopoietic and related tissue, unspecified; this is a primary malignancy, not secondary