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The CPT® Code 17261 refers to the destruction of a malignant lesion located on the trunk, arms, or legs, specifically when the diameter of the lesion measures between 0.6 to 1.0 cm. Malignant lesions, which are abnormal growths that can invade surrounding tissues and potentially spread to other parts of the body, often require treatment to prevent further complications. While excision is a common method for treating many types of malignant lesions, certain conditions such as squamous cell carcinoma, verrucous carcinoma, and superficial lesions that have not penetrated deeper layers of the dermis may be effectively treated through various destruction techniques. The procedure typically begins with a thorough examination of the lesion to determine the most suitable method of destruction. Local anesthesia may be administered to ensure patient comfort during the procedure. Among the techniques used for destruction are cryosurgery, which involves freezing the lesion with liquid nitrogen; surgical curettage, which is the scraping away of the lesion followed by electrosurgery; chemosurgery, which utilizes a chemical or pharmacologic agent to destroy the lesion; and laser destruction, often performed with a carbon dioxide laser. This code is specifically designated for lesions that fall within the specified size range, and it is important to select the appropriate code based on the diameter of the lesion to ensure accurate billing and reimbursement.
© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.
The procedure associated with CPT® Code 17261 is indicated for the treatment of malignant lesions on the trunk, arms, or legs that have a diameter ranging from 0.6 to 1.0 cm. The specific types of malignant lesions that may be treated using this method include:
The procedure for CPT® Code 17261 involves several key steps to ensure the effective destruction of the malignant lesion. The following procedural steps are typically followed:
Following the procedure associated with CPT® Code 17261, patients may be advised on several post-procedure care measures. These may include keeping the treated area clean and dry, applying any prescribed topical medications, and monitoring for signs of infection or unusual changes in the treated area. Patients should also be informed about the expected healing process and any potential side effects, such as redness or swelling at the site of destruction. Follow-up appointments may be scheduled to assess the healing of the area and to ensure that the malignant lesion has been adequately treated.
| Short Descr | DSTRJ MAL LES T/A/L .6-1.0CM | Medium Descr | DESTRUCTION MAL LESION TRUNK/ARM/LEG 0.6-1.0 CM | Long Descr | Destruction, malignant lesion (eg, laser surgery, electrosurgery, cryosurgery, chemosurgery, surgical curettement), trunk, arms or legs; lesion diameter 0.6 to 1.0 cm | Status Code | Active Code | Global Days | 010 - Minor Procedure | PC/TC Indicator (26, TC) | 0 - Physician Service Code | Multiple Procedures (51) | 2 - Standard 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) | 1 - Statutory 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 | STV-Packaged Codes | ASC Payment Indicator | Packaged service/item; no separate payment made. | Type of Service (TOS) | 2 - Surgery | Berenson-Eggers TOS (BETOS) | P5A - Ambulatory procedures - skin | MUE | 7 | CCS Clinical Classification | 170 - Excision of skin lesion |
| 51 | Multiple procedures: when multiple procedures, other than e/m services, physical medicine and rehabilitation services or provision of supplies (eg, vaccines), are performed at the same session by the same individual, the primary procedure or service may be reported as listed. the additional procedure(s) or service(s) may be identified by appending modifier 51 to the additional procedure or service code(s). note: this modifier should not be appended to designated "add-on" codes (see appendix d). | 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. | 79 | Unrelated procedure or service by the same physician or other qualified health care professional during the postoperative period: the individual may need to indicate that the performance of a procedure or service during the postoperative period was unrelated to the original procedure. this circumstance may be reported by using modifier 79. (for repeat procedures on the same day, see modifier 76.) | 76 | Repeat procedure or service by same physician or other qualified health care professional: it may be necessary to indicate that a procedure or service was repeated by the same physician or other qualified health care professional subsequent to the original procedure or service. this circumstance may be reported by adding modifier 76 to the repeated procedure or service. note: this modifier should not be appended to an e/m service. | XS | Separate structure, a service that is distinct because it was performed on a separate organ/structure | GC | This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician | AQ | Physician providing a service in an unlisted health professional shortage area (hpsa) | XU | Unusual non-overlapping service, the use of a service that is distinct because it does not overlap usual components of the main service | 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 | 58 | Staged or related procedure or service by the same physician or other qualified health care professional during the postoperative period: it may be necessary to indicate that the performance of a procedure or service during the postoperative period was: (a) planned or anticipated (staged); (b) more extensive than the original procedure; or (c) for therapy following a surgical procedure. this circumstance may be reported by adding modifier 58 to the staged or related procedure. note: for treatment of a problem that requires a return to the operating/procedure room (eg, unanticipated clinical condition), see modifier 78. | GA | Waiver of liability statement issued as required by payer policy, individual case | AM | Physician, team member service | PO | Excepted service provided at an off-campus, outpatient, provider-based department of a hospital | 78 | Unplanned return to the operating/procedure room by the same physician or other qualified health care professional following initial procedure for a related procedure during the postoperative period: it may be necessary to indicate that another procedure was performed during the postoperative period of the initial procedure (unplanned procedure following initial procedure). when this procedure is related to the first, and requires the use of an operating/procedure room, it may be reported by adding modifier 78 to the related procedure. (for repeat procedures, see modifier 76.) | AG | Primary physician | CC | Procedure code change (use 'cc' when the procedure code submitted was changed either for administrative reasons or because an incorrect code was filed) | CR | Catastrophe/disaster related | F8 | Right hand, fourth digit | FS | Split (or shared) evaluation and management visit | GV | Attending physician not employed or paid under arrangement by the patient's hospice provider | GW | Service not related to the hospice patient's terminal condition | GZ | Item or service expected to be denied as not reasonable and necessary | LT | Left side (used to identify procedures performed on the left side of the body) | Q1 | Routine clinical service provided in a clinical research study that is in an approved clinical research study | Q6 | Service furnished under a fee-for-time compensation arrangement by a substitute physician or by a substitute physical therapist furnishing outpatient physical therapy services in a health professional shortage area, a medically underserved area, or a rural area | SA | Nurse practitioner rendering service in collaboration with a physician | X3 | Episodic/broad services: for reporting services by clinicians who have broad responsibility for the comprehensive needs of the patient that is limited to a defined period and circumstance such as a hospitalization; reporting clinician service examples include but are not limited to the hospitalist's services rendered providing comprehensive and general care to a patient while admitted to the hospital | XE | Separate encounter, a service that is distinct because it occurred during a separate encounter |
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Notes
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| 2024-01-01 | Changed | Short Description changed. |
| 2002-01-01 | Changed | Code description changed. |
| 1992-01-01 | Added | First appearance in code book in 1992. |
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