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Official Description

Radical resection of tumor (eg, sarcoma), soft tissue of thigh or knee area; 5 cm or greater

© Copyright 2025 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

The CPT® Code 27364 refers to the radical resection of a tumor located in the soft tissue of the thigh or knee area, specifically when the tumor measures 5 cm or greater. Soft tissues encompass a variety of structures, including muscles, tendons, fat, blood vessels, lymph vessels, nerves, and the tissues that surround joints. Tumors that arise in these soft tissues can be classified as either benign or malignant. However, radical resection is primarily indicated for malignant neoplasms, such as sarcomas, although it may also be necessary for benign tumors or those of indeterminate nature. The procedure begins with the creation of a skin incision directly over the tumor or the elevation of a skin flap to access the tumor. Once the overlying tissue is carefully dissected, the tumor is exposed and excised en bloc, which means it is removed along with a wide margin of surrounding healthy tissue to ensure complete removal of the tumor. This radical resection may involve the excision of all affected soft tissue, which can include critical structures such as muscles, nerves, and blood vessels. To confirm that all tumor cells have been removed, a separately reportable frozen section may be performed to evaluate the margins of the excised tissue. If any margins are found to contain malignant cells, additional tissue will be excised until all margins are confirmed to be free of tumor cells. Post-surgery, drains may be placed as necessary to manage fluid accumulation, and the surgical wound can be closed in layers or may require additional reconstructive procedures that are separately reportable. The code 27364 is specifically designated for the radical resection of soft-tissue tumors measuring 5 cm or greater in the thigh or knee region.

© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

The radical resection of soft tissue tumors in the thigh or knee area, as described by CPT® Code 27364, is indicated for the following conditions:

  • Malignant Neoplasms Tumors that are cancerous, such as sarcomas, which require complete removal to prevent further spread.
  • Benign Tumors Non-cancerous tumors that may still necessitate radical resection due to size or potential complications.
  • Indeterminate Tumors Tumors whose nature is unclear and may require radical resection to determine their characteristics and ensure complete removal.

2. Procedure

The procedure for radical resection of a soft tissue tumor in the thigh or knee area involves several critical steps:

  • Step 1: Incision A skin incision is made directly over the tumor site in the thigh or knee area. Alternatively, a skin flap may be created and elevated to provide better access to the tumor.
  • Step 2: Dissection The overlying tissue is meticulously dissected to expose the tumor. This step is crucial to ensure that the tumor is adequately visualized and that surrounding structures are preserved as much as possible.
  • Step 3: Tumor Excision The tumor is removed en bloc, which means it is excised along with a wide margin of surrounding healthy tissue. This approach is essential to ensure that all cancerous cells are removed and to minimize the risk of recurrence.
  • Step 4: Margin Evaluation A frozen section may be performed to evaluate the margins of the excised tissue. This step is critical to confirm that all margins are free of tumor cells. If any malignant cells are detected at the margins, additional tissue will be excised until clear margins are achieved.
  • Step 5: Drain Placement After the tumor has been removed, drains may be placed as needed to prevent fluid accumulation in the surgical site, which can aid in the healing process.
  • Step 6: Wound Closure The surgical wound may be closed in layers to promote optimal healing. In some cases, separately reportable reconstructive procedures may be performed to restore the appearance and function of the affected area.

3. Post-Procedure

Post-procedure care following a radical resection of a soft tissue tumor includes monitoring for any signs of complications, such as infection or excessive bleeding. Patients may require pain management and should be advised on activity restrictions to promote healing. Follow-up appointments are essential to assess the surgical site, remove drains if placed, and evaluate the need for further treatment based on pathology results. Additionally, patients may need rehabilitation services to regain strength and function in the affected area, especially if significant muscle or tissue was removed during the procedure.

Short Descr RESECT THIGH/KNEE TUM 5 CM/>
Medium Descr RAD RESECTION TUMOR SOFT TIS THIGH/KNEE 5 CM/>
Long Descr Radical resection of tumor (eg, sarcoma), soft tissue of thigh or knee area; 5 cm or greater
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 Non office-based surgical procedure added in CY 2008 or later; payment based on OPPS relative payment weight.
Type of Service (TOS) 2 - Surgery
Berenson-Eggers TOS (BETOS) P3D - Major procedure, orthopedic - other
MUE 1
CCS Clinical Classification 160 - Other therapeutic procedures on muscles and tendons
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).
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).
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
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
RT Right side (used to identify procedures performed on the right side of the body)
SG Ambulatory surgical center (asc) facility service
XS Separate structure, a service that is distinct because it was performed on a separate organ/structure
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2014-01-01 Changed Description Changed
2011-01-01 Changed Short description changed.
2010-01-01 Added -
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