© Copyright 2025 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.
Ablation of malignant breast tumors using percutaneous cryotherapy is a minimally invasive procedure that serves as a breast-conserving alternative to traditional surgical lumpectomy for patients diagnosed with malignant breast cancer. This technique is particularly beneficial for individuals seeking less invasive treatment options. The procedure is performed under imaging guidance, which is most commonly magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), allowing for precise localization of the tumor. During the procedure, local anesthesia is administered to ensure patient comfort. The physician then utilizes one or more percutaneous probes, which are inserted through the skin and directed into the tumor. Once the probes are in place, liquid nitrogen is injected through them, cooling the surrounding tissue to temperatures below -20 degrees Celsius. This process creates an ice ball around the tumor, effectively destroying the cancerous cells. Over the subsequent 13 to 18 months, the body gradually absorbs and expels the destroyed tumor cells, facilitating recovery and minimizing the need for more invasive surgical interventions.
© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.
The procedure of percutaneous cryoablation for malignant breast tumors is indicated for patients diagnosed with malignant breast cancer who are candidates for breast-conserving treatment options. This method is particularly suitable for individuals who prefer a less invasive approach compared to traditional surgical lumpectomy. The indications for this procedure may include:
The percutaneous cryoablation procedure for malignant breast tumors involves several key steps that ensure effective treatment while minimizing invasiveness. The steps are as follows:
After the percutaneous cryoablation procedure, patients can typically expect a recovery period during which they may experience some localized discomfort or swelling at the treatment site. It is important for patients to follow any post-procedure care instructions provided by their healthcare provider. Over the next 13 to 18 months, the body will gradually absorb and expel the destroyed tumor cells. Follow-up appointments may be scheduled to monitor the healing process and assess the effectiveness of the treatment. Patients should report any unusual symptoms or concerns to their healthcare provider promptly.
| Short Descr | ABLTJ MAL BRST TUM PERQ CRTX | Medium Descr | ABLATION MAL BRST TUMOR PERQ CRTX UNILATERAL | Long Descr | Ablation, malignant breast tumor(s), percutaneous, cryotherapy, including imaging guidance when performed, unilateral | Status Code | Carriers Price the Code | Global Days | YYY - Carrier Determines Whether Global Concept Applies | PC/TC Indicator (26, TC) | 0 - Physician Service Code | Multiple Procedures (51) | 0 - No payment adjustment rules for multiple procedures apply. | Bilateral Surgery (50) | 0 - 150% payment adjustment for bilateral procedures does NOT apply. | Physician Supervisions | 09 - Concept does not apply. | Assistant Surgeon (80, 82) | 0 - Payment restriction for assistants at surgery applies to this procedure... | Co-Surgeons (62) | 0 - Co-surgeons not permitted for this procedure. | Team Surgery (66) | 0 - Team surgeons not permitted for this procedure. | Diagnostic Imaging Family | 99 - Concept Does Not Apply | APC Status Indicator | Hospital Part B services paid through a comprehensive APC | ASC Payment Indicator | Device-intensive procedure added to ASC list in CY 2008 or later; paid at adjusted rate. | Berenson-Eggers TOS (BETOS) | none | MUE | 2 |
| 59 | Distinct procedural service: under certain circumstances, it may be necessary to indicate that a procedure or service was distinct or independent from other non-e/m services performed on the same day. modifier 59 is used to identify procedures/services, other than e/m services, that are not normally reported together, but are appropriate under the circumstances. documentation must support a different session, different procedure or surgery, different site or organ system, separate incision/excision, separate lesion, or separate injury (or area of injury in extensive injuries) not ordinarily encountered or performed on the same day by the same individual. however, when another already established modifier is appropriate it should be used rather than modifier 59. only if no more descriptive modifier is available, and the use of modifier 59 best explains the circumstances, should modifier 59 be used. note: modifier 59 should not be appended to an e/m service. to report a separate and distinct e/m service with a non-e/m service performed on the same date, see modifier 25. | GA | Waiver of liability statement issued as required by payer policy, individual case | GC | This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician | LT | Left side (used to identify procedures performed on the left side of the body) | RT | Right side (used to identify procedures performed on the right side of the body) | X4 | Episodic/focused services: for reporting services by clinicians who provide focused care on particular types of treatment limited to a defined period and circumstance; the patient has a problem, acute or chronic, that will be treated with surgery, radiation, or some other type of generally time-limited intervention; reporting clinician service examples include but are not limited to, the orthopedic surgeon performing a knee replacement and seeing the patient through the postoperative period |
|
Date
|
Action
|
Notes
|
|---|---|---|
| 2020-01-01 | Added | Code added. |
Get instant expert-level medical coding assistance.