C81.15
BillableNodular sclerosis Hodgkin lymphoma, lymph nodes of inguinal region and lower limb
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 type of Hodgkin lymphoma with nodular sclerosis pattern involving lymph nodes in the groin and lower leg areas.
Coding Tips
- •Character '5' specifies inguinal region and lower limb involvement; document whether unilateral or bilateral
- •Add seventh character to indicate remission status or encounter type
Clinical Significance
Nodular sclerosis Hodgkin lymphoma of inguinal and lower limb lymph nodes is a less typical presentation for this subtype, which more commonly involves cervical and mediastinal nodes. Inguinal presentation may indicate infradiaphragmatic disease and requires complete staging to determine whether supradiaphragmatic disease is also present. Despite the unusual site, the prognosis remains favorable with appropriate treatment.
Documentation Requirements
- ✓Pathology confirming nodular sclerosis subtype
- ✓Physical exam and imaging documenting inguinal and/or lower limb lymph node involvement
- ✓Laterality documented
- ✓Distinction from intrapelvic nodes (C81.16)
- ✓Complete staging workup including above-diaphragm assessment
- ✓Treatment plan
Commonly Confused Codes
C81.16 — Nodular sclerosis, intrapelvic: Deep pelvic nodes are distinct from superficial inguinal nodesC81.05 — NLPHL, inguinal/lower limb: Different subtype at the same locationC81.10 — Nodular sclerosis, unspecified site: Use C81.15 when inguinal involvement is documentedC83.35 — Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, inguinal/lower limb: Non-Hodgkin lymphoma