ICD-10 Code C81.9 – Hodgkin lymphoma, unspecified (2026): Diagnosis, Symptoms & Billing Guide
2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code C81.9 – Hodgkin lymphoma, unspecified
What it is
C81.9 identifies Hodgkin lymphoma when the record confirms the disease but does not specify the subtype. Use it for a malignant lymphoma of lymphoid tissue when documentation is incomplete.
Clinical signs
Clinical features vary; refer to documentation. Commonly recorded findings include enlarged lymph nodes, constitutional symptoms, or biopsy-confirmed Hodgkin lymphoma without a named subtype.
When to use this code
Use C81.9 when the provider documents Hodgkin lymphoma and does not identify nodular sclerosis, mixed cellularity, lymphocyte-rich, lymphocyte-depleted, or other specified type. It also fits cases where pathology confirms Hodgkin lymphoma but the subtype is not stated in the note.
If later documentation clarifies the exact subtype, code the more specific diagnosis instead. Check documentation when the chart includes staging, recurrence, or treatment details but no histologic subtype.
Do not use for
Do not use this code for non-Hodgkin lymphoma, lymphoma in remission only, or a specified Hodgkin lymphoma subtype. If the diagnosis is uncertain or unconfirmed, check documentation.
Coding tip
Query for the exact histologic subtype whenever the record only says “Hodgkin lymphoma.”