2024 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code C85.9

Non-Hodgkin lymphoma, unspecified

ICD-10-CM Code:
C85.9
ICD-10 Code for:
Non-Hodgkin lymphoma, unspecified
Is Billable?
Not Valid for Submission
Code Navigator:

Code Classification

  • Neoplasms
    (C00–D49)
    • Malignant neoplasms of lymphoid, hematopoietic and related tissue
      (C81-C96)
      • Other specified and unspecified types of non-Hodgkin lymphoma
        (C85)

C85.9 is a non-specific and non-billable diagnosis code code, consider using a code with a higher level of specificity for a diagnosis of non-hodgkin lymphoma, unspecified. The code is not specific and is NOT valid for the year 2024 for the submission of HIPAA-covered transactions. Category or Header define the heading of a category of codes that may be further subdivided by the use of 4th, 5th, 6th or 7th characters.

Unspecified diagnosis codes like C85.9 are acceptable when clinical information is unknown or not available about a particular condition. Although a more specific code is preferable, unspecified codes should be used when such codes most accurately reflect what is known about a patient's condition. Specific diagnosis codes should not be used if not supported by the patient's medical record.

Specific Coding Applicable to Non-Hodgkin lymphoma, unspecified

Non-specific codes like C85.9 require more digits to indicate the appropriate level of specificity. Consider using any of the following ICD-10-CM codes with a higher level of specificity when coding for non-hodgkin lymphoma, unspecified:

  • Use C85.90 for Non-Hodgkin lymphoma, unspecified, unspecified site - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use C85.91 for Non-Hodgkin lymphoma, unspecified, lymph nodes of head, face, and neck - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use C85.92 for Non-Hodgkin lymphoma, unspecified, intrathoracic lymph nodes - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use C85.93 for Non-Hodgkin lymphoma, unspecified, intra-abdominal lymph nodes - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use C85.94 for Non-Hodgkin lymphoma, unspecified, lymph nodes of axilla and upper limb - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use C85.95 for Non-Hodgkin lymphoma, unspecified, lymph nodes of inguinal region and lower limb - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use C85.96 for Non-Hodgkin lymphoma, unspecified, intrapelvic lymph nodes - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use C85.97 for Non-Hodgkin lymphoma, unspecified, spleen - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use C85.98 for Non-Hodgkin lymphoma, unspecified, lymph nodes of multiple sites - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use C85.99 for Non-Hodgkin lymphoma, unspecified, extranodal and solid organ sites - BILLABLE CODE

Tabular List of Diseases and Injuries

The following annotation back-references are applicable to this diagnosis code. The Tabular List of Diseases and Injuries is a list of ICD-10-CM codes, organized "head to toe" into chapters and sections with coding notes and guidance for inclusions, exclusions, descriptions and more.


Inclusion Terms

Inclusion Terms
These terms are the conditions for which that code is to be used. The terms may be synonyms of the code title, or, in the case of "other specified" codes, the terms are a list of the various conditions assigned to that code. The inclusion terms are not necessarily exhaustive. Additional terms found only in the Alphabetic Index may also be assigned to a code.
  • Lymphoma NOS
  • Malignant lymphoma NOS
  • Non-Hodgkin lymphoma NOS

Index to Diseases and Injuries References

The following annotation back-references for this diagnosis code are found in the injuries and diseases index. The Index to Diseases and Injuries is an alphabetical listing of medical terms, with each term mapped to one or more ICD-10-CM code(s).

Patient Education


Lymphoma

Lymphoma is a cancer of a part of the immune system called the lymph system. There are many types of lymphoma. One type is Hodgkin disease. The rest are called non-Hodgkin lymphomas.

Non-Hodgkin lymphomas begin when a type of white blood cell, called a T cell or B cell, becomes abnormal. The cell divides again and again, making more and more abnormal cells. These abnormal cells can spread to almost any other part of the body. Most of the time, doctors don't know why a person gets non-Hodgkin lymphoma. You are at increased risk if you have a weakened immune system or have certain types of infections.

Non-Hodgkin lymphoma can cause many symptoms, such as :

  • Swollen, painless lymph nodes in the neck, armpits or groin
  • Unexplained weight loss
  • Fever
  • Soaking night sweats
  • Coughing, trouble breathing or chest pain
  • Weakness and tiredness that don't go away
  • Pain, swelling or a feeling of fullness in the abdomen

Your doctor will diagnose lymphoma with a physical exam, blood tests, a chest x-ray, and a biopsy. Treatments include chemotherapy, radiation therapy, targeted therapy, biological therapy, or therapy to remove proteins from the blood. Targeted therapy uses drugs or other substances that attack specific cancer cells with less harm to normal cells. Biologic therapy boosts your body's own ability to fight cancer. If you don't have symptoms, you may not need treatment right away. This is called watchful waiting.

NIH: National Cancer Institute


[Learn More in MedlinePlus]

Code History

  • FY 2024 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2023 through 9/30/2024
  • FY 2023 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2022 through 9/30/2023
  • FY 2022 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2021 through 9/30/2022
  • FY 2021 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2020 through 9/30/2021
  • FY 2020 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2019 through 9/30/2020
  • FY 2019 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2018 through 9/30/2019
  • FY 2018 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2017 through 9/30/2018
  • FY 2017 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2016 through 9/30/2017
  • FY 2016 - New Code, effective from 10/1/2015 through 9/30/2016. This was the first year ICD-10-CM was implemented into the HIPAA code set.