C81.91
BillableHodgkin lymphoma, unspecified, 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
Hodgkin lymphoma of unspecified type affecting lymph nodes in the head, face, and neck region.
Coding Tips
- •Confirm documentation specifies head, face, or neck lymph node involvement
- •This code is appropriate when the Hodgkin subtype is unknown but the anatomical site is clear
Clinical Significance
Hodgkin lymphoma of unspecified type involving head, face, and neck lymph nodes captures a confirmed Hodgkin diagnosis with a documented anatomic site but without histologic subtype information. This commonly occurs when the initial diagnosis is made by an outside provider and detailed pathology is not available. Head and neck lymph nodes are the most common presentation site for Hodgkin lymphoma, accounting for the majority of initial diagnoses.
Documentation Requirements
- ✓Confirmed diagnosis of Hodgkin lymphoma affecting head/face/neck lymph nodes
- ✓Documentation indicating why the histologic subtype is not specified
- ✓Physical exam or imaging confirming head, face, or neck lymph node involvement
- ✓Plan to obtain pathology review for subtype classification when possible
- ✓Encounter-specific assessment and management
Commonly Confused Codes
C81.71 — Other Hodgkin lymphoma, head/face/neck: 'other' indicates pathology reviewed but variant does not fit standard categories; 'unspecified' indicates subtype not yet determinedC81.11 — Nodular sclerosis Hodgkin lymphoma, head/face/neck: the most common subtype at this site; use when confirmed by pathologyC85.11 — Non-Hodgkin B-cell lymphoma, head/face/neck: ensure the lymphoma is confirmed as Hodgkin type
Code Hierarchy
└C81Hodgkin lymphoma└C81.9Hodgkin lymphoma, unspecified└C81.91Hodgkin lymphoma, unspecified, lymph nodes of head, face, and neck
└C81.91Hodgkin lymphoma, unspecified, lymph nodes of head, face, and neck