C82.55

HCC Category Mapping

What This Code Means

This is a type of blood cancer (lymphoma) that starts in the lymph nodes located in the groin and upper leg area. The cancer cells grow slowly and spread throughout the lymph node tissue in that region.

Coding Tips

• •Verify the specific anatomical site (inguinal region and lower limb) is documented in the pathology report before assigning this code, as lymphoma site specificity is critical for accurate coding
• •Ensure the histology is confirmed as diffuse follicle center lymphoma (not nodular or other variants) and that the stage/grade information is documented separately for complete coding

Clinical Significance

Diffuse follicle center lymphoma involving inguinal and lower limb lymph nodes typically presents as painless groin lymphadenopathy. Inguinal lymph node involvement must be differentiated from reactive inguinal adenopathy (which is common) and metastatic disease from genital, lower extremity, or anorectal malignancies. Lower limb lymph node involvement can cause dependent edema and should prompt evaluation for deep venous thrombosis as a concurrent complication.

Documentation Requirements

• ✓Pathology confirming diffuse follicle center lymphoma histology
• ✓Documentation of inguinal and/or lower limb lymph node involvement
• ✓Laterality (right, left, or bilateral)
• ✓Imaging documenting lymph node size and distribution
• ✓Assessment for lower extremity edema or deep vein thrombosis
• ✓Staging documentation including assessment of other nodal and extranodal sites

Commonly Confused Codes