2027 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code C77Secondary and unspecified malignant neoplasm of lymph nodes

ICD-10-CM Codes›C00–D49›C76-C80›C77

ICD-10-CM C77
CMSSource: CMS FY 2027 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2026 – Sep 30, 2027

C77 is a non-billable ICD-10-CM category code for secondary and unspecified malignant neoplasm of lymph nodes, so it cannot be submitted on claims. Use a more specific code from this category instead, such as C77.0, C77.1, C77.2, and C77.3.

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
C77
Billable Status
No — Non-Billable Category
Code Describes
Secondary and unspecified malignant neoplasm of lymph nodes
Short Description
Secondary and unspecified malignant neoplasm of lymph nodes
Same as the full description in the CMS dataset.
Chapter
C76-C80
Malignant neoplasms of ill-defined, other secondary and unspecified sites

Code Classification

ChapterC00–D49Neoplasms
SectionC76-C80Malignant neoplasms of ill-defined, other secondary and unspecified sites
CategoryC77Secondary and unspecified malignant neoplasm of lymph nodes
This CodeC77Secondary and unspecified malignant neoplasm of lymph nodes

Specific Coding for Secondary and unspecified malignant neoplasm of lymph nodesOverview

Non-specific codes like C77 require more characters. Use one of these billable codes instead:

  • Use C77.0 for Secondary and unspecified malignant neoplasm of lymph nodes of head, face and neck

  • Use C77.1 for Secondary and unspecified malignant neoplasm of intrathoracic lymph nodes

  • Use C77.2 for Secondary and unspecified malignant neoplasm of intra-abdominal lymph nodes

  • Use C77.3 for Secondary and unspecified malignant neoplasm of axilla and upper limb lymph nodes

  • Use C77.4 for Secondary and unspecified malignant neoplasm of inguinal and lower limb lymph nodes

  • Use C77.5 for Secondary and unspecified malignant neoplasm of intrapelvic lymph nodes

  • Use C77.8 for Secondary and unspecified malignant neoplasm of lymph nodes of multiple regions

  • Use C77.9 for Secondary and unspecified malignant neoplasm of lymph node, unspecified

Instructional NotesGuidance

Instructions from the official ICD-10-CM Tabular List that apply to C77: its own notes plus those printed at Chapter 2. A note printed at a category, block or chapter applies to every code under it.

Excludes1

Not coded here: the excluded code is never reported together with this one, unless the two conditions are unrelated.

  • malignant neoplasm of lymph nodes, specified as primary (C81-C86, C88, C96.-)
  • mesentery metastasis of carcinoid tumor (C7B.04)
  • secondary carcinoid tumors of distant lymph nodes (C7B.01)

Notes

General instructions on how these codes are used.

From Chapter 2 (C00-D49) Neoplasms applies to 1,730 codes
  • Functional activity
  • All neoplasms are classified in this chapter, whether they are functionally active or not. An additional code from Chapter 4 may be used, to identify functional activity associated with any neoplasm.
  • Morphology [Histology]
  • Chapter 2 classifies neoplasms primarily by site (topography), with broad groupings for behavior, malignant, in situ, benign, etc. The Table of Neoplasms should be used to identify the correct topography code. In a few cases, such as for malignant melanoma and certain neuroendocrine tumors, the morphology (histologic type) is included in the category and codes.
  • Primary malignant neoplasms overlapping site boundaries
  • A primary malignant neoplasm that overlaps two or more contiguous (next to each other) sites should be classified to the subcategory/code .8 ('overlapping lesion'), unless the combination is specifically indexed elsewhere. For multiple neoplasms of the same site that are not contiguous, such as tumors in different quadrants of the same breast, codes for each site should be assigned.
  • Malignant neoplasm of ectopic tissue
  • Malignant neoplasms of ectopic tissue are to be coded to the site mentioned, e.g., ectopic pancreatic malignant neoplasms are coded to pancreas, unspecified (C25.9).

Source: CMS ICD-10-CM Tabular List. How to read instructional notes.

Referenced in Other NotesGuidance

Instructional notes printed at other codes that name C77, its category, or a range that includes it.

Applicable To 2

These notes mention C77.

  • Z85.89 Personal history of malignant neoplasm of other organs and systems
    Conditions classifiable to C7A.098, C76, C77-C79
  • Z85.8 Personal history of malignant neoplasms of other organs and systems
    Conditions classifiable to C00-C14, C40-C49, C69-C75, C7A.098, C76-C79 names C76-C79, which includes this code

Excludes2 1

These codes carry an Excludes2 note naming C77: its condition is not part of those codes, and both may be reported when the patient has both.

  • Block C81-C96 Malignant neoplasms of lymphoid, hematopoietic and related tissue
    secondary and unspecified neoplasm of lymph nodes (C77.-)

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Code HistoryHistory

FY 2016AddedAdded to the ICD-10-CM code setEffective October 1, 2015, the first year of ICD-10-CM.
FY 2017–2026No changes
FY 2027CurrentCurrent code set, no changesEffective October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.

Questions About C77Overview

What is the ICD-10 code for secondary and unspecified malignant neoplasm of lymph nodes?

C77 is the ICD-10-CM category for secondary and unspecified malignant neoplasm of lymph nodes, but it is a non-billable header: claims need a more specific code from this category, listed on this page.

Is C77 (Secondary and unspecified malignant neoplasm of lymph nodes) a billable code?

No. This is a category header that groups the codes for secondary and unspecified malignant neoplasm of lymph nodes, and headers cannot be submitted on claims. Claims for secondary and unspecified malignant neoplasm of lymph nodes need a more specific code from this category, such as C77.0, C77.1, and C77.2.

Can C77 be reported with C88?

Not as a rule. The Excludes1 note on C77 lists "malignant neoplasm of lymph nodes, specified as primary (C81-C86, C88, C96.-)". An Excludes1 note means the excluded code is never reported together with this one; the only exception is when the two conditions are unrelated to each other (Official Guidelines, Section I.A.12.a).