C81.26
BillableMixed cellularity Hodgkin lymphoma, intrapelvic lymph nodes
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 mixed cellularity affecting lymph nodes inside the pelvis.
Coding Tips
- •Verify intrapelvic location is clearly documented in imaging or pathology reports
- •Distinguish from other abdominal lymph node sites
Clinical Significance
Mixed cellularity Hodgkin lymphoma involving intrapelvic lymph nodes represents a moderately aggressive classical Hodgkin lymphoma subtype with significant resource utilization for staging, chemotherapy, and radiation planning. Intrapelvic involvement typically indicates at least stage II disease and may complicate treatment delivery due to proximity to reproductive and urinary organs. Accurate capture is critical for risk adjustment as it reflects ongoing oncologic care needs.
Documentation Requirements
- ✓Pathology report confirming mixed cellularity classical Hodgkin lymphoma histology (Reed-Sternberg cells in mixed inflammatory background)
- ✓Imaging confirmation (CT, PET/CT) specifying intrapelvic lymph node involvement
- ✓Ann Arbor staging designation (I-IV) with substage (A/B) for systemic symptoms
- ✓Current treatment status: active treatment, surveillance, or remission
- ✓Documentation that the condition is being actively managed or monitored during the encounter
Commonly Confused Codes
C81.23 — Mixed cellularity Hodgkin lymphoma, intra-abdominal lymph nodes: intra-abdominal refers to mesenteric, para-aortic, and retroperitoneal nodes above the pelvic brim, while intrapelvic refers to iliac, obturator, and presacral nodes within the pelvisC81.25 — Mixed cellularity Hodgkin lymphoma, inguinal region and lower limb: inguinal nodes are superficial groin nodes palpable on exam, while intrapelvic nodes are deep within the pelvic cavity and only visible on imagingC81.28 — Mixed cellularity Hodgkin lymphoma, multiple sites: use C81.26 when only intrapelvic nodes are involved; use C81.28 only when two or more distinct nodal regions are documentedC83.36 — Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, intrapelvic: this is a non-Hodgkin lymphoma; verify pathology confirms Reed-Sternberg cells and Hodgkin histology
Code Hierarchy
└C81Hodgkin lymphoma└C81.2Mixed cellularity Hodgkin lymphoma└C81.26Mixed cellularity Hodgkin lymphoma, intrapelvic lymph nodes
└C81.26Mixed cellularity Hodgkin lymphoma, intrapelvic lymph nodes