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The CPT® Code 17266 refers to the destruction of malignant lesions located on the trunk, arms, or legs, specifically when the diameter of the lesion exceeds 4.0 cm. Malignant lesions are abnormal growths that can invade surrounding tissues and may spread to other parts of the body. Common types of malignant lesions include squamous cell carcinoma and verrucous carcinoma. While excision is a standard treatment for many malignant lesions, certain cases, particularly those that have not penetrated deeper layers of the dermis, may be treated using various destruction techniques. These techniques aim to eliminate the lesion while minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissue. The procedure typically begins with an examination of the lesion to determine the most suitable method of destruction. Local anesthesia may be administered to ensure patient comfort during the procedure. Various destruction methods include cryosurgery, which involves freezing the lesion with liquid nitrogen; surgical curettage, which is often followed by electrosurgery; chemosurgery, which utilizes chemical agents to destroy the lesion; and laser destruction, particularly with carbon dioxide lasers. This code is specifically designated for larger lesions, as indicated by the size requirement, and is part of a series of codes that categorize malignant lesion destruction based on their diameter.
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The procedure associated with CPT® Code 17266 is indicated for the treatment of malignant lesions on the trunk, arms, or legs that have a diameter exceeding 4.0 cm. These lesions may include, but are not limited to, squamous cell carcinoma and verrucous carcinoma. The use of destruction techniques is particularly appropriate for lesions that have not invaded deeper layers of the dermis, making them suitable candidates for non-excisional treatment methods.
The procedure for CPT® Code 17266 involves several key steps to ensure effective destruction of the malignant lesion. First, the physician will conduct a thorough examination of the lesion to assess its characteristics and determine the most appropriate destruction technique. This assessment is crucial for selecting the method that will be most effective while minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissue. Following the examination, local anesthesia may be administered to ensure the patient's comfort during the procedure. Once the area is adequately anesthetized, the physician will proceed with the chosen destruction method. Common techniques include cryosurgery, where liquid nitrogen is applied to freeze the lesion, surgical curettage, which involves scraping the lesion followed by electrosurgery to destroy any remaining cancerous cells, chemosurgery, which uses a chemical agent to target the lesion, and laser destruction, particularly with a carbon dioxide laser, which precisely targets the malignant tissue. The choice of technique will depend on the specific characteristics of the lesion and the physician's clinical judgment.
After the procedure associated with CPT® Code 17266, patients may experience some localized discomfort, swelling, or redness at the treatment site, which is typically manageable with over-the-counter pain relief. The physician will provide specific post-procedure care instructions, which may include keeping the area clean and dry, monitoring for signs of infection, and avoiding sun exposure to promote healing. Follow-up appointments may be scheduled to assess the treatment site and ensure that the lesion has been adequately destroyed. Patients should be advised to report any unusual symptoms or concerns during the recovery period.
| Short Descr | DSTRJ MAL LES T/A/L >4.0 CM | Medium Descr | DESTRUCTION MAL LESION TRUNK/ARM/LEG > 4.0 CM | Long Descr | Destruction, malignant lesion (eg, laser surgery, electrosurgery, cryosurgery, chemosurgery, surgical curettement), trunk, arms or legs; lesion diameter over 4.0 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 | Procedure or Service, Multiple Reduction Applies | ASC Payment Indicator | Office-based surgical procedure added to ASC list in CY 2008 or later with MPFS nonfacility PE RVUs; payment based on MPFS nonfacility PE RVUs. | Type of Service (TOS) | 2 - Surgery | Berenson-Eggers TOS (BETOS) | P5A - Ambulatory procedures - skin | MUE | 2 | 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. | 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. | 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.) | XS | Separate structure, a service that is distinct because it was performed on a separate organ/structure | 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. | AQ | Physician providing a service in an unlisted health professional shortage area (hpsa) | GC | This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician | GW | Service not related to the hospice patient's terminal condition | LT | Left side (used to identify procedures performed on the left side of the body) | PO | Excepted service provided at an off-campus, outpatient, provider-based department of a hospital | 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 | XU | Unusual non-overlapping service, the use of a service that is distinct because it does not overlap usual components of the main service |
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| 2024-01-01 | Changed | Short Description changed. |
| 2013-01-01 | Changed | Medium Descriptor changed. |
| 2002-01-01 | Changed | Code description changed. |
| 1992-01-01 | Added | First appearance in code book in 1992. |
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