Lymphoma ICD 10 Code

Refresher: What Are ICD-10 Codes?

ICD-10 stands for the International Classification of Diseases, 10th revision. It is a coding system used in healthcare to classify diagnoses, procedures, and symptoms systematically. CM indicates “Clinical Modification” and is used in the U.S. for disease diagnoses (ICD-10-CM). ICD-10-PCS codes are used for coding procedures in inpatient settings. Both of these coding systems are used for medical claims and statistics purposes.

World Health Organization or WHO authorized the International Classification of Diseases (ICD) for mortality coding and classification. Even though the initial edition of this coding system was launched in the 1850s, it soon became obsolete as it could not meet the modern classification of new diseases or the contemporary healthcare industry challenges.

The U.S. adopted the ICD 9 coding to develop ICD 9-CM, which it has been using since 1979. However, the ICD 9-CM did not sufficiently address the requirements of the industry’s future trends. Additionally, the information present in this disease classification resource was clinically inaccurate and provided limited data about patients’ medical history and health challenges.

To overcome the shortcomings of ICD9, the world welcomed ICD10 in 2015. It offers accurate data on mortality and disease classification. The data enables the seamless tracking of public health conditions and fosters epidemiological research while measuring the outcomes of clinical decisions.

The ICD 10-CM enabled easier comparison of morbidity and mortality data, enhanced the data quality via detailed disease classification, the laid the ground rules for modern classifications to support the consistently evolving healthcare industry challenges and standards. [¹]

In general, ICD-10 codes are different for primary tumors (“malignant neoplasms”) and for secondary or metastasized tumors (“secondary malignant neoplasms”). [²]

What Is the ICD 10 Code for Lymphoma?

For primary lymphoma tumors, the general ICD-10 code is C85.89 (malignant neoplasm of non-Hodgkin lymphoma, extranodal, and solid organ sites), whereas, for secondary or metastatic tumors, the ICD-10 code is C96.9 (secondary malignant neoplasm of unspecified lymphoid, hematopoietic, and related tissue.)

Primary Lymphoma ICD 10 Code: C85

Primary Lymphoma ICD Code

Here is a table of the ICD 10 lymphoma codes for primary lymphoma cancers, which are classified under C85 “malignant neoplasm of non-Hodgkin lymphoma, extranodal, and solid organ sites.” [³]

C85: Malignant Neoplasm of Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma

Types of Lymphoma Coded Under C85.89

The ICD 10 code for lymphoma C85.89 does not specify the exact cell type for lymphoma. That said, a C85.89 code can be used for primary lymphoma cancers of ICD 10 large B cell lymphoma, T cells, and NK cells when cancer occurs in solid organs and extranodal sites.

Lymphoma Cancers Excluded from ICD-10 C85.89

ICD code for lymphoma C85.89 does not include the following:

• Hodgkin lymphoma, coded under ICD 10 C81
• Non-Hodgkin lymphomas with specified subtypes coded under ICD 10 codes C82 to C85.8
• Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma coded under C83
• Primary central nervous system lymphomas coded under C88.4
• Lymphomas in specific anatomic sites, coded under C85.89
• Lymphoid leukemia, coded under ICD 10 C91-95

Secondary and Metastatic Lymphoma ICD 10 Code: C96.9

Secondary or Metastatic Lymphoma ICD-10 Code C96.9

The ICD 10 lymphoma codes for secondary lymphoma cancers, or lymphoma cancers that have metastasized from other origins, are C96.9, “secondary malignant neoplasm of unspecified lymphoid, hematopoietic, and related tissue.” [⁴] This code is used for metastatic lymphoma, with the specific type and location of the cancer not further specified.

Conclusion

The ICD 10 code for lymphoma depends on the origin of cancer development. It might develop in the body’s lymph nodes, bone marrow, spleen, digestive tract, tonsils, skin, lungs, CNS, and even other organs. That said, primary malignant neoplasm of non-Hodgkin lymphoma, extranodal, and solid organ sites falls under the C85.89 code.

Be mindful that the evaluation of the ICD 10 code is based on various factors. The origin and pathophysiology of the tumor play a key role in assigning codes. Furthermore, a patient’s medical history and lymphoma diagnosis also contributes to the classification of the code.