C77 vs C81.74
C77 (Secondary and unspecified malignant neoplasm of lymph nodes) compared with C81.74 (Other Hodgkin lymphoma, lymph nodes of axilla and upper limb), from the official CMS tabular data. Do not report these codes together: the official tabular list marks them Excludes1.
Can these codes be reported together?
No — do not report together. C77 carries an Excludes1 note covering C81.74: “malignant neoplasm of lymph nodes, specified as primary (C81-C86, C88, C96.-)”
Sole exception: when the two conditions are documented as unrelated to each other (ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines, Section I.A.12.a).
Yes, when both are documented. C81.74 carries an Excludes2 note covering C77: “secondary and unspecified neoplasm of lymph nodes (C77.-)”
Excludes2 marks distinct conditions — both may be reported when both are documented.
Side by side
| C77Secondary and unspecified malignant neoplasm of lymph nodes | C81.74Other Hodgkin lymphoma, lymph nodes of axilla and upper limb | |
|---|---|---|
| Billing status | Non-billable header | Billable |
| Classification | C00-D49 — Neoplasms (C00-D49) | C00-D49 — Neoplasms (C00-D49) |
| Definition | Secondary and unspecified malignant neoplasm of lymph nodes is a non-billable ICD-10-CM category code (C77). | Other Hodgkin lymphoma, lymph nodes of axilla and upper limb is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code (C81.74). |
Derived from the official CMS ICD-10-CM tabular data (FY2026). Not billing advice; verify sequencing rules for the encounter. All data sources