2027 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code R59Enlarged lymph nodes

ICD-10-CM Codes›R00–R99›R50-R69›R59

ICD-10-CM R59
CMSSource: CMS FY 2027 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2026 – Sep 30, 2027

R59 is a non-billable ICD-10-CM category code for enlarged lymph nodes, so it cannot be submitted on claims. Use a more specific code from this category instead, such as R59.0, R59.1, and R59.9. As a symptom code, it should not be used as a principal diagnosis once a related definitive diagnosis has been established.

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
R59
Billable Status
No — Non-Billable Category
Code Describes
Enlarged lymph nodes
Short Description
Enlarged lymph nodes
Same as the full description in the CMS dataset.
Chapter
R50-R69
General symptoms and signs

Code Classification

ChapterR00–R99Symptoms, signs and abnormal clinical and laboratory findings, not elsewhere classified
SectionR50-R69General symptoms and signs
CategoryR59Enlarged lymph nodes
This CodeR59Enlarged lymph nodes

Specific Coding for Enlarged lymph nodesOverview

Non-specific codes like R59 require more characters. Use one of these billable codes instead:

  • Use R59.0 for Localized enlarged lymph nodes

  • Use R59.1 for Generalized enlarged lymph nodes

  • Use R59.9 for Enlarged lymph nodes, unspecified

Instructional NotesGuidance

Instructions from the official ICD-10-CM Tabular List that apply to R59: its own notes plus those printed at Chapter 18. A note printed at a category, block or chapter applies to every code under it.

Includes

Further defines, or gives examples of, the content of the category.

  • swollen glands

Excludes1

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

  • lymphadenitis NOS (I88.9)
  • acute lymphadenitis (L04.-)
  • chronic lymphadenitis (I88.1)
  • mesenteric (acute) (chronic) lymphadenitis (I88.0)

Excludes2

Not included here: the excluded condition is not part of this code, but a patient may have both, so both codes may be reported.

From Chapter 18 (R00-R99) Symptoms, signs and abnormal clinical and laboratory findings, not elsewhere classified applies to 774 codes
  • abnormal findings on antenatal screening of mother (O28.-)
  • certain conditions originating in the perinatal period (P04-P96)
  • signs and symptoms classified in the body system chapters
  • signs and symptoms of breast (N63, N64.5)

Notes

General instructions on how these codes are used.

From Chapter 18 (R00-R99) Symptoms, signs and abnormal clinical and laboratory findings, not elsewhere classified applies to 774 codes
  • This chapter includes symptoms, signs, abnormal results of clinical or other investigative procedures, and ill-defined conditions regarding which no diagnosis classifiable elsewhere is recorded.
  • Signs and symptoms that point rather definitely to a given diagnosis have been assigned to a category in other chapters of the classification. In general, categories in this chapter include the less well-defined conditions and symptoms that, without the necessary study of the case to establish a final diagnosis, point perhaps equally to two or more diseases or to two or more systems of the body. Practically all categories in the chapter could be designated 'not otherwise specified', 'unknown etiology' or 'transient'. The Alphabetical Index should be consulted to determine which symptoms and signs are to be allocated here and which to other chapters. The residual subcategories, numbered .8, are generally provided for other relevant symptoms that cannot be allocated elsewhere in the classification.
  • The conditions and signs or symptoms included in categories R00-R94 consist of:
  • (a) cases for which no more specific diagnosis can be made even after all the facts bearing on the case have been investigated;
  • (b) signs or symptoms existing at the time of initial encounter that proved to be transient and whose causes could not be determined;
  • (c) provisional diagnosis in a patient who failed to return for further investigation or care;
  • (d) cases referred elsewhere for investigation or treatment before the diagnosis was made;
  • (e) cases in which a more precise diagnosis was not available for any other reason;
  • (f) certain symptoms, for which supplementary information is provided, that represent important problems in medical care in their own right.

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

Referenced in Other NotesGuidance

Instructional notes printed at other codes that name R59, its category, or a range that includes it.

Excludes1 4

These codes carry an Excludes1 note naming R59: they are not reported together with it, unless the two conditions are unrelated.

  • I88 Nonspecific lymphadenitis
    enlarged lymph nodes NOS (R59.-)
  • I89 Other noninfective disorders of lymphatic vessels and lymph nodes
    enlarged lymph nodes NOS (R59.-)
  • L04 Acute lymphadenitis
    enlarged lymph nodes (R59.-)
  • R22 Localized swelling, mass and lump of skin and subcutaneous tissue
    enlarged lymph nodes (R59.-)

Excludes2 1

These codes carry an Excludes2 note naming R59: its condition is not part of those codes, and both may be reported when the patient has both.

  • D75 Other and unspecified diseases of blood and blood-forming organs
    enlarged lymph nodes (R59.-)

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 R59Overview

What is the ICD-10 code for enlarged lymph nodes?

R59 is the ICD-10-CM category for enlarged lymph nodes, but it is a non-billable header: claims need a more specific code from this category, listed on this page.

Is R59 (Enlarged lymph nodes) a billable code?

No. This is a category header that groups the codes for enlarged lymph nodes, and headers cannot be submitted on claims. Claims for enlarged lymph nodes need a more specific code from this category, such as R59.0, R59.1, and R59.9.

Can R59 be a principal diagnosis?

Use it with care. This is a symptom code, so once a definitive diagnosis explaining the enlarged lymph nodes is established, that condition takes the principal position instead.

Can R59 be reported with I88.9?

Not as a rule. The Excludes1 note on R59 lists "lymphadenitis NOS (I88.9)". 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).