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Official Description

Mastectomy, partial (eg, lumpectomy, tylectomy, quadrantectomy, segmentectomy); with axillary lymphadenectomy

© Copyright 2025 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

Partial mastectomy, also known as lumpectomy, tylectomy, quadrantectomy, or segmentectomy, is a surgical procedure aimed at removing a cancerous lesion or a lesion suspected of being cancerous from the breast. This procedure involves making an incision over the identified lump or mass, which is then carefully inspected visually by the surgeon. The primary goal is to excise the lump or mass along with a margin of healthy tissue surrounding it to ensure that any potentially cancerous cells are also removed. The excised tissue is subsequently sent to a laboratory for histological analysis to confirm the presence or absence of cancer. During the procedure, the surgical site and the surrounding breast tissue are thoroughly examined for any additional lesions that may require attention. In cases where axillary lymphadenectomy is indicated, an additional incision is made in the lowest area of the axilla (armpit). The surgeon identifies the borders of the pectoralis major and latissimus dorsi muscles, as well as the axillary vein, which is carefully dissected from the surrounding tissue. The neural structures in the axilla are also identified and protected during this process. The procedure typically involves the excision of 15 to 25 axillary lymph nodes located beneath the axillary vein and along the nerves and muscles of the axilla. Once all cancerous or suspicious tissue has been successfully removed, a drain is placed to prevent fluid accumulation, and the surgical wound is closed. It is important to note that CPT® Code 19301 should be used when a partial mastectomy is performed without axillary lymphadenectomy, while CPT® Code 19302 is designated for cases where the procedure includes axillary lymphadenectomy.

© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

The procedure of partial mastectomy with axillary lymphadenectomy is indicated for the following conditions:

  • Cancerous Lesion The primary indication for this procedure is the presence of a malignant tumor in the breast that requires surgical intervention to remove the cancerous tissue.
  • Suspicious Lesion This procedure may also be performed when a lesion is suspected of being cancerous based on imaging studies or clinical examination, necessitating removal for further histological evaluation.

2. Procedure

The procedure consists of several critical steps to ensure the effective removal of the cancerous tissue and any affected lymph nodes:

  • Step 1: Incision and Inspection An incision is made over the identified lump or mass in the breast. The surgeon visually inspects the lump to assess its characteristics and determine the extent of the tissue that needs to be excised.
  • Step 2: Tissue Removal The lump or mass is carefully removed along with a margin of healthy breast tissue surrounding it. This is crucial to ensure that any potentially cancerous cells are also excised. The excised tissue is then sent to the laboratory for histological analysis.
  • Step 3: Examination of Surrounding Tissue After the initial removal, the surgical site and surrounding breast tissue are thoroughly inspected for any additional lesions that may require further intervention.
  • Step 4: Axillary Lymphadenectomy (if indicated) If axillary lymphadenectomy is part of the procedure, an incision is made in the lowest area of the axilla. The surgeon identifies the borders of the pectoralis major and latissimus dorsi muscles, as well as the axillary vein, which is dissected from surrounding tissue.
  • Step 5: Identification and Protection of Neural Structures During the axillary lymphadenectomy, the axillary neural structures are identified and protected to prevent nerve damage during the procedure.
  • Step 6: Lymph Node Excision The surgeon excises the axillary lymph nodes, typically removing 15 to 25 nodes located beneath the axillary vein and along the nerves and muscles of the axilla.
  • Step 7: Closure Once all cancerous or suspicious tissue has been excised, a drain is placed to prevent fluid accumulation at the surgical site, and the surgical wound is then closed securely.

3. Post-Procedure

After the procedure, patients are typically monitored for any immediate complications. Post-operative care may include managing pain, monitoring for signs of infection, and ensuring proper drainage from the surgical site. Patients may also receive instructions regarding activity restrictions and follow-up appointments for pathology results and further treatment planning. Recovery time can vary based on individual circumstances, but patients are generally advised to avoid strenuous activities for a specified period to allow for proper healing.

Short Descr P-MASTECTOMY W/LN REMOVAL
Medium Descr MASTECTOMY PARTIAL W/AXILLARY LYMPHADENECTOMY
Long Descr Mastectomy, partial (eg, lumpectomy, tylectomy, quadrantectomy, segmentectomy); with axillary lymphadenectomy
Status Code Active Code
Global Days 090 - Major Surgery
PC/TC Indicator (26, TC) 0 - Physician Service Code
Multiple Procedures (51) 2 - Standard payment adjustment rules for multiple procedures apply.
Bilateral Surgery (50) 1 - 150% payment adjustment for bilateral procedures applies.
Physician Supervisions 09 - Concept does not apply.
Assistant Surgeon (80, 82) 2 - Payment restriction for assistants at surgery does not apply to this procedure...
Co-Surgeons (62) 1 - Co-surgeons could be paid, though supporting documentation is required...
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 Surgical procedure on ASC list in CY 2007; payment based on OPPS relative payment weight.
Type of Service (TOS) 2 - Surgery
Berenson-Eggers TOS (BETOS) P1A - Major procedure - breast
MUE 1
CCS Clinical Classification 166 - Lumpectomy, quadrantectomy of breast

This is a primary code that can be used with these additional add-on codes.

19294 Addon Code MPFS Status: Active Code APC N ASC N1 Preparation of tumor cavity, with placement of a radiation therapy applicator for intraoperative radiation therapy (IORT) concurrent with partial mastectomy (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure)
19297 Addon Code MPFS Status: Active Code APC N ASC N1 CPT Assistant Article Illustration for Code Placement of radiotherapy afterloading expandable catheter (single or multichannel) into the breast for interstitial radioelement application following partial mastectomy, includes imaging guidance; concurrent with partial mastectomy (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure)
38900 Addon Code MPFS Status: Active Code APC N ASC N1 Intraoperative identification (eg, mapping) of sentinel lymph node(s) includes injection of non-radioactive dye, when performed (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure)
C9726 Medicare Coverage: Special Coverage Instructions Add-on Code APC N ASC N1 Placement and removal (if performed) of applicator into breast for intraoperative radiation therapy, add-on to primary breast procedure
RT Right side (used to identify procedures performed on the right side of the body)
LT Left side (used to identify procedures performed on the left side of the body)
22 Increased procedural services: when the work required to provide a service is substantially greater than typically required, it may be identified by adding modifier 22 to the usual procedure code. documentation must support the substantial additional work and the reason for the additional work (ie, increased intensity, time, technical difficulty of procedure, severity of patient's condition, physical and mental effort required). note: this modifier should not be appended to an e/m service.
50 Bilateral procedure: unless otherwise identified in the listings, bilateral procedures that are performed at the same session, should be identified by adding modifier 50 to the appropriate 5 digit code. note: this modifier should not be appended to designated "add-on" codes (see appendix d).
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).
52 Reduced services: under certain circumstances a service or procedure is partially reduced or eliminated at the discretion of the physician or other qualified health care professional. under these circumstances the service provided can be identified by its usual procedure number and the addition of modifier 52, signifying that the service is reduced. this provides a means of reporting reduced services without disturbing the identification of the basic service. note: for hospital outpatient reporting of a previously scheduled procedure/service that is partially reduced or cancelled as a result of extenuating circumstances or those that threaten the well-being of the patient prior to or after administration of anesthesia, see modifiers 73 and 74 (see modifiers approved for asc hospital outpatient use).
55 Postoperative management only: when 1 physician or other qualified health care professional performed the postoperative management and another performed the surgical procedure, the postoperative component may be identified by adding modifier 55 to the usual procedure number.
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.
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.
62 Two surgeons: when 2 surgeons work together as primary surgeons performing distinct part(s) of a procedure, each surgeon should report his/her distinct operative work by adding modifier 62 to the procedure code and any associated add-on code(s) for that procedure as long as both surgeons continue to work together as primary surgeons. each surgeon should report the co-surgery once using the same procedure code. if additional procedure(s) (including add-on procedure(s) are performed during the same surgical session, separate code(s) may also be reported with modifier 62 added. note: if a co-surgeon acts as an assistant in the performance of additional procedure(s), other than those reported with the modifier 62, during the same surgical session, those services may be reported using separate procedure code(s) with modifier 80 or modifier 82 added, as appropriate.
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.)
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.)
80 Assistant surgeon: surgical assistant services may be identified by adding modifier 80 to the usual procedure number(s).
82 Assistant surgeon (when qualified resident surgeon not available): the unavailability of a qualified resident surgeon is a prerequisite for use of modifier 82 appended to the usual procedure code number(s).
AG Primary physician
AQ Physician providing a service in an unlisted health professional shortage area (hpsa)
AS Physician assistant, nurse practitioner, or clinical nurse specialist services for assistant at surgery
CR Catastrophe/disaster related
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
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
SG Ambulatory surgical center (asc) facility service
X5 Diagnostic services requested by another clinician: for reporting services by a clinician who furnishes care to the patient only as requested by another clinician or subsequent and related services requested by another clinician; this modifier is reported for patient relationships that may not be adequately captured by the above alternative categories; reporting clinician service examples include but are not limited to, the radiologist's interpretation of an imaging study requested by another clinician
XS Separate structure, a service that is distinct because it was performed on a separate organ/structure
XU Unusual non-overlapping service, the use of a service that is distinct because it does not overlap usual components of the main service
Date
Action
Notes
2020-01-01 Note AMA Guidelines changed.
2018-01-01 Note AMA Guidelines changed.
2007-01-01 Added First appearance in code book in 2007.
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