C81.01
BillableNodular lymphocyte predominant Hodgkin lymphoma, lymph nodes of head, face, and neck
HCC Category Mapping
V28HCC 21 — Breast, Prostate, Colorectal and Other Cancers and Tumors
0.545V24HCC 10 — Lymphoma and Other Cancers
0.675ESRDHCC 10 — Lymphoma and Other Cancers
0.000RxHCCHCC 21 — Hodgkin Lymphoma and Other Cancers
0.000What This Code Means
A specific type of Hodgkin lymphoma affecting the lymph nodes in the head, face, and neck region.
Coding Tips
- •Confirm documentation specifies head, face, or neck lymph node involvement
- •Verify pathology confirms nodular lymphocyte predominant Hodgkin lymphoma subtype
Clinical Significance
Nodular lymphocyte predominant Hodgkin lymphoma of the head, face, and neck lymph nodes is one of the most common presentations of NLPHL, which frequently involves cervical lymph nodes. This subtype tends to present as isolated peripheral lymphadenopathy in young adults. Cervical lymph node involvement is often Stage I-II and carries an excellent prognosis, frequently managed with involved-site radiation therapy alone.
Documentation Requirements
- ✓Pathology confirming NLPHL subtype with appropriate immunohistochemistry
- ✓Specific lymph node location within the head, face, or neck region documented
- ✓Staging workup including CT or PET scan results
- ✓B-symptoms assessment
- ✓Treatment plan appropriate for limited-stage cervical disease
- ✓Baseline and follow-up imaging documentation
Commonly Confused Codes
C81.11 — Nodular sclerosis Hodgkin lymphoma, head/face/neck: Different histologic subtype; verify pathology confirms NLPHL, not nodular sclerosisC81.00 — NLPHL, unspecified site: Use C81.01 when head/face/neck involvement is documentedC85.11 — Unspecified B-cell lymphoma, head/face/neck: NLPHL has its own specific code and should not be coded as unspecified B-cell lymphomaC83.31 — Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, head/face/neck: May result from NLPHL transformation; code the current diagnosis
Code Hierarchy
└C81Hodgkin lymphoma└C81.0Nodular lymphocyte predominant Hodgkin lymphoma└C81.01Nodular lymphocyte predominant Hodgkin lymphoma, lymph nodes of head, face, and neck
└C81.01Nodular lymphocyte predominant Hodgkin lymphoma, lymph nodes of head, face, and neck