Secondary and unspecified malignant neoplasm of lymph nodes of axilla and upper limb

This code indicates the presence of a metastatic malignant tumor in the lymph nodes located in the axilla (armpit) or anywhere in the upper limb. It signifies that the cancer originated elsewhere in the body and has spread to these specific lymph nodes. The primary site of the cancer is not identified by this code.

Use this code when documentation explicitly states metastatic or secondary malignancy involving axillary or upper limb lymph nodes, and the primary site is either unknown or coded separately. This is appropriate when pathology confirms malignant cells in these nodes, and the origin is not the lymph nodes themselves.

• Always sequence the primary malignancy code before this secondary site code, if known.
• Do not use this code for primary lymphoma or other primary malignancies originating in the lymph nodes; those have specific codes.
• Ensure documentation clearly specifies "secondary," "metastatic," or "spread to" the axillary/upper limb lymph nodes.