C77 vs C86
C77 (Secondary and unspecified malignant neoplasm of lymph nodes) compared with C86 (Other specified types of T/NK-cell lymphoma), 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 C86: “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. C86 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 | C86Other specified types of T/NK-cell lymphoma | |
|---|---|---|
| Billing status | Non-billable header | Non-billable header |
| 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 specified types of T/NK-cell lymphoma is a non-billable ICD-10-CM category code (C86). |
Derived from the official CMS ICD-10-CM tabular data (FY2026). Not billing advice; verify sequencing rules for the encounter. All data sources