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Destruction of malignant lesions refers to the medical procedures aimed at removing or destroying cancerous skin growths, which can include types such as basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and malignant melanoma. These lesions are typically assessed by a healthcare professional to determine the most suitable method of destruction based on their characteristics and size. Prior to the procedure, a local anesthetic may be administered to minimize discomfort for the patient. Various techniques can be employed for the destruction of these lesions, including cryosurgery, which utilizes liquid nitrogen to freeze the lesion through a series of freeze-thaw cycles, effectively killing the cancerous cells. Another method is surgical curettage, which involves scraping away the lesion, often followed by electrosurgery to ensure complete removal. In cases where multiple lesions are present, alternative treatments such as chemical agents or laser resurfacing with a carbon dioxide laser may be utilized. The goal of these procedures is not only to eliminate the malignant lesion but also to destroy a margin of surrounding healthy tissue to reduce the risk of recurrence. For accurate coding, it is important to note the size of the lesion, as different CPT® codes are designated for varying diameters, with CPT® Code 17272 specifically applicable for lesions measuring between 1.1 to 2.0 cm in diameter.
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The procedure described by CPT® Code 17272 is indicated for the treatment of malignant skin lesions, specifically when the lesions are located on the scalp, neck, hands, feet, or genitalia. The following conditions may warrant the use of this procedure:
The procedure for the destruction of malignant lesions as described by CPT® Code 17272 involves several key steps:
After the procedure, patients may require specific post-procedure care to promote healing and monitor for any complications. It is essential to provide instructions regarding wound care, signs of infection, and follow-up appointments for further evaluation. Patients should be advised to avoid sun exposure on the treated area and to keep the site clean and dry. Regular follow-up visits may be necessary to assess the healing process and to ensure that the lesion has been adequately treated.
| Short Descr | DSTR MAL LES S/N/H/F/G 1.1-2 | Medium Descr | DESTRUCTION MALIGNANT LESION S/N/H/F/G 1.1-2.0CM | Long Descr | Destruction, malignant lesion (eg, laser surgery, electrosurgery, cryosurgery, chemosurgery, surgical curettement), scalp, neck, hands, feet, genitalia; lesion diameter 1.1 to 2.0 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 | 5 | 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 | PO | Excepted service provided at an off-campus, outpatient, provider-based department of a hospital | GA | Waiver of liability statement issued as required by payer policy, individual case | RT | Right side (used to identify procedures performed on the right side of the body) | AQ | Physician providing a service in an unlisted health professional shortage area (hpsa) | 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. | 54 | Surgical care only: when 1 physician or other qualified health care professional performs a surgical procedure and another provides preoperative and/or postoperative management, surgical services may be identified by adding modifier 54 to the usual procedure number. | 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 | AM | Physician, team member service | CR | Catastrophe/disaster related | F1 | Left hand, second digit | F2 | Left hand, third digit | F3 | Left hand, fourth digit | F5 | Right hand, thumb | F6 | Right hand, second digit | F7 | Right hand, third digit | F8 | Right hand, fourth digit | FA | Left hand, thumb | 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) | Q5 | Service furnished under a reciprocal billing 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 | 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 | SG | Ambulatory surgical center (asc) facility service | T2 | Left foot, third digit | T9 | Right foot, fifth digit | 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 | XE | Separate encounter, a service that is distinct because it occurred during a separate encounter | 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. |
| 2002-01-01 | Changed | Code description changed. |
| 1992-01-01 | Added | First appearance in code book in 1992. |
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