C83.01

Billable

Small cell B-cell lymphoma, lymph nodes of head, face, and neck

HCC Category Mapping

V28HCC 21 — Breast, Prostate, Colorectal and Other Cancers and Tumors

0.545

V24HCC 10 — Lymphoma and Other Cancers

0.675

ESRDHCC 10 — Lymphoma and Other Cancers

0.000

RxHCCHCC 21 — Hodgkin Lymphoma and Other Cancers

0.000

What This Code Means

A type of cancer of the lymph system (small cell B-cell lymphoma) affecting the lymph nodes in the head, face, and neck region.

Coding Tips

•Confirm documentation specifies head, face, or neck lymph node involvement; this includes cervical, submandibular, and facial nodes
•Document laterality (right, left, or bilateral) in the medical record for clinical reference

Clinical Significance

Small cell B-cell lymphoma involving head, face, and neck lymph nodes is a common initial presentation, as cervical lymphadenopathy is one of the most frequent presenting signs. This low-grade lymphoma is the tissue counterpart of chronic lymphocytic leukemia and has an indolent course. Head and neck presentation may be discovered incidentally or during evaluation for painless lymphadenopathy. Accurate differentiation from other causes of cervical lymphadenopathy requires pathologic confirmation.

Documentation Requirements

✓Pathology confirming small cell B-cell lymphoma histology
✓Immunophenotyping results (CD5+, CD23+, CD20 dim) supporting the diagnosis
✓Documentation of specific head, face, or neck lymph nodes involved
✓Peripheral blood assessment for circulating disease (to distinguish from chronic lymphocytic leukemia)
✓Staging evaluation including imaging
✓Flow cytometry results

Commonly Confused Codes

C91.11 — Chronic lymphocytic leukemia of B-cell type, in remission: Small cell B-cell lymphoma is the nodal form; chronic lymphocytic leukemia is the leukemic form of the same disease C82.91 — Follicular lymphoma, unspecified, lymph nodes of head, face, and neck: Different lymphoma subtype with distinct immunophenotype C83.31 — Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, lymph nodes of head, face, and neck: Large cell type rather than small cell; different disease behavior

Code Hierarchy

└C83Non-follicular lymphoma └C83.0Small cell B-cell lymphoma └C83.01Small cell B-cell lymphoma, lymph nodes of head, face, and neck

└C83.01Small cell B-cell lymphoma, lymph nodes of head, face, and neck