Skip to content
Dx

ICD-10-CM 2027 diagnosis code

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

✓ Billable / specificCC — complication/comorbidity

C77.3 is a valid, billable ICD-10-CM code for secondary and unspecified malignant neoplasm of axilla and upper limb lymph nodes. It can be reported on claims for dates of service from October 1, 2026 – September 30, 2027.Short description: Sec and unsp malig neoplasm of axilla and upper limb nodes

Code unchanged since ICD-10-CM took effect on October 1, 2015. Source: official FY2027 ICD-10-CM release from CDC/NCHS and CMS. Page updated September 29, 2026. About our data

About C77.3

C77.3 is the ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for secondary and unspecified malignant neoplasm of axilla and upper limb lymph nodes. It belongs to category C77 (secondary and unspecified malignant neoplasm of lymph nodes), block C76-C80 (malignant neoplasms of ill-defined, other secondary and unspecified sites) and chapter 2 (neoplasms). It is billable, so it can be reported on its own for dates of service from October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.

Within C77 (secondary and unspecified malignant neoplasm of lymph nodes), C77.3 is specifically for secondary and unspecified malignant neoplasm of axilla and upper limb lymph nodes. Related codes cover of head, face and neck (C77.0), intrathoracic lymph nodes (C77.1), intra-abdominal lymph nodes (C77.2), inguinal and lower limb lymph nodes (C77.4), intrapelvic lymph nodes (C77.5), of multiple regions (C77.8) and lymph node, unspecified (C77.9).

As a secondary diagnosis it is a CC (complication or comorbidity), which can move an inpatient stay into the "with CC" MS-DRG of its family, unless the principal diagnosis excludes it.

In MS-DRG v44.0, it is part of the grouping logic for DRG 820 (Lymphoma and Leukemia with Major O.R. Procedures with MCC, relative weight 6.2481), DRG 821 (Lymphoma and Leukemia with Major O.R. Procedures with CC, relative weight 2.2023), DRG 822 (Lymphoma and Leukemia with Major O.R. Procedures without CC/MCC, relative weight 1.1272), DRG 823 (Lymphoma and Non-Acute Leukemia with Other Procedures with MCC, relative weight 4.6059), DRG 824 (Lymphoma and Non-Acute Leukemia with Other Procedures with CC, relative weight 2.2515), DRG 825 (Lymphoma and Non-Acute Leukemia with Other Procedures without CC/MCC, relative weight 1.2995) and 3 more, in MDC 17 (Myeloproliferative Diseases and Disorders, Poorly Differentiated Neoplasms), as a principal or secondary diagnosis. The DRG a claim lands in depends on the principal diagnosis, procedures and any CC/MCC secondary diagnoses.

It has been part of ICD-10-CM since the code set took effect on October 1, 2015 and hasn't changed since.

Before ICD-10, this condition was coded in ICD-9-CM as 196.3 (secondary and unspecified malignant neoplasm of lymph nodes of axilla and upper limb).

Coding notes

Applicable toConditions and synonyms classified to this code
  • Secondary and unspecified malignant neoplasm of pectoral lymph nodes

Notes that apply from higher levels

Instructions written at a parent level also apply to C77.3.

› From C77 Secondary and unspecified malignant neoplasm of lymph nodes
Excludes1
  • 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)

Broader instructions also apply from Chapter 2: Neoplasms.

Table of Drugs & Neoplasms entries

MS-DRG v44.0 grouping

All DRGs →

Inpatient MS-DRGs this diagnosis can group to, as the principal or a secondary diagnosis, depending on the rest of the claim.

ICD-9-CM equivalent

Converter →
  • 196.3Secondary and unspecified malignant neoplasm of lymph nodes of axilla and upper limbexact

From the CMS 2018 General Equivalence Mappings (GEMs), the final GEMs release.

Code history

  1. 2016
  2. 2017
  3. 2018
  4. 2019
  5. 2020
  6. 2021
  7. 2022
  8. 2023
  9. 2024
  10. 2025
  11. 2026
  12. 2027
  • FY2016 (effective 10/1/2015): Added (first year of ICD-10-CM)
  • No changes since FY2016.

Common questions about C77.3

Is C77.3 billable?

Yes. C77.3 is a billable/specific ICD-10-CM code valid for FY2027 (October 1, 2026 – September 30, 2027).

Can C77.3 be used as a principal diagnosis?

Yes. The Medicare Code Editor doesn't restrict C77.3 as a principal diagnosis.

Is C77.3 a CC or MCC?

C77.3 is a CC (complication or comorbidity) under MS-DRG v44.0, unless excluded by the principal diagnosis.

What DRG does C77.3 group to?

C77.3 is used in the MS-DRG v44.0 logic for MS-DRG 820 (Lymphoma and Leukemia with Major O.R. Procedures with MCC), MS-DRG 821 (Lymphoma and Leukemia with Major O.R. Procedures with CC), MS-DRG 822 (Lymphoma and Leukemia with Major O.R. Procedures without CC/MCC), MS-DRG 823 (Lymphoma and Non-Acute Leukemia with Other Procedures with MCC), MS-DRG 824 (Lymphoma and Non-Acute Leukemia with Other Procedures with CC), MS-DRG 825 (Lymphoma and Non-Acute Leukemia with Other Procedures without CC/MCC) and 3 more. Which one applies depends on whether it is the principal diagnosis and on the rest of the claim.

What is the ICD-9 code for C77.3?

The CMS General Equivalence Mappings map C77.3 to ICD-9-CM 196.3.