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Official Description

Intensity modulated radiotherapy plan, including dose-volume histograms for target and critical structure partial tolerance specifications

© Copyright 2025 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

An intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) plan is a sophisticated approach to delivering radiation therapy that allows for precise targeting of tumor tissues while minimizing exposure to surrounding healthy structures. This procedure involves the creation of a detailed treatment plan that includes dose-volume histograms, which graphically represent the distribution of radiation doses within the target area and critical structures. The IMRT technique can be executed using either forward or inverse planning methods. Forward planning is a more straightforward approach that utilizes a limited number of segments per radiation field, calculating dosimetry based on the shape and weight of the tumor and adjacent tissues. In contrast, inverse planning is more complex and involves generating a dose-volume histogram that is specifically tailored to the contoured tumor targets, allowing for the sparing of sensitive structures. The IMRT process is particularly beneficial for treating various types of tumors, including those located in the prostate, lung, liver, head, neck, and central nervous system. The planning phase may also incorporate the use of immobilization devices to ensure patient stability and account for organ motion during treatment. A qualified professional, typically a radiation oncologist, is responsible for reviewing the patient's diagnosis and verifying the accuracy of the computer-generated treatment plan. The ultimate goal of IMRT is to achieve a highly conformal radiation dose distribution that meets predefined maximum and minimum dose thresholds for both the target tumor and critical surrounding structures, thereby optimizing treatment efficacy while reducing potential adverse effects.

© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

The intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) plan is indicated for various types of tumors where precise radiation delivery is crucial. The following conditions are commonly associated with the use of this procedure:

  • Prostate Tumors IMRT is frequently utilized in the treatment of prostate cancer, allowing for targeted radiation that spares surrounding healthy tissue.
  • Lung Tumors This technique is effective for lung cancer, where minimizing radiation exposure to adjacent organs is essential.
  • Liver Tumors IMRT can be applied to liver malignancies, providing a focused radiation dose while protecting critical structures.
  • Head and Neck Tumors The precision of IMRT is particularly beneficial in treating head and neck cancers, where sensitive structures are in close proximity to the tumor.
  • Central Nervous System Tumors IMRT is indicated for tumors located in the central nervous system, allowing for careful dose distribution to avoid damage to healthy brain tissue.

2. Procedure

The procedure for creating an intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) plan involves several critical steps that ensure the accurate delivery of radiation therapy. Each step is designed to optimize the treatment plan based on the specific characteristics of the tumor and surrounding tissues.

  • Step 1: Patient Assessment The process begins with a thorough assessment of the patient’s diagnosis, including imaging studies and clinical evaluations. This information is essential for determining the appropriate treatment approach and for planning the radiation therapy.
  • Step 2: Treatment Planning The radiation oncologist or qualified professional utilizes advanced software to create the IMRT plan. This involves selecting the appropriate planning technique, either forward or inverse, based on the tumor's characteristics and the surrounding anatomy.
  • Step 3: Dose-Volume Histogram Creation A dose-volume histogram is generated to visualize the distribution of radiation doses across the target tumor and critical structures. This histogram is crucial for assessing the plan's effectiveness and ensuring that dose limits for sensitive areas are adhered to.
  • Step 4: Optimization of Beam Parameters The beam parameters are optimized using computer algorithms to determine the most effective geometric portal configuration and radiation intensity. This step is vital for achieving a highly conformal dose distribution that meets clinical objectives.
  • Step 5: Plan Verification Once the treatment plan is developed, it undergoes a verification process where the radiation oncologist reviews the plan for accuracy and compliance with predefined dose constraints. Adjustments may be made to the plan based on this review.
  • Step 6: Finalization of the Treatment Plan After verification, the IMRT plan is finalized, and the patient is prepared for treatment. This may include the use of immobilization devices to ensure stability during radiation delivery.

3. Post-Procedure

Post-procedure care following the implementation of an intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) plan involves monitoring the patient for any immediate side effects and ensuring adherence to follow-up appointments. Patients may experience some localized reactions, such as skin irritation or fatigue, which should be managed appropriately. Regular follow-up visits are essential to assess the effectiveness of the treatment and to monitor for any potential late effects of radiation therapy. Additionally, ongoing communication between the patient and the healthcare team is crucial for addressing any concerns and adjusting care as needed throughout the treatment course.

Short Descr RADIOTHERAPY DOSE PLAN IMRT
Medium Descr NTSTY MODUL RADTHX PLN DOSE-VOL HISTOS
Long Descr Intensity modulated radiotherapy plan, including dose-volume histograms for target and critical structure partial tolerance specifications
Status Code Active Code
Global Days XXX - Global Concept Does Not Apply
PC/TC Indicator (26, TC) 1 - Diagnostic Tests for Radiology Services
Multiple Procedures (51) 0 - No 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) 0 - 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, Not Discounted when Multiple
ASC Payment Indicator Radiology service paid separately when provided integral to a surgical procedure on ASC list; payment based on OPPS relative payment weight.
Type of Service (TOS) 6 - Therapeutic Radiology
Berenson-Eggers TOS (BETOS) P7A - Oncology - radiation therapy
MUE 1
CCS Clinical Classification 211 - Therapeutic radiology

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

77293 Addon Code MPFS Status: Active Code APC N ASC N1 Respiratory motion management simulation (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure)
26 Professional component: certain procedures are a combination of a physician or other qualified health care professional component and a technical component. when the physician or other qualified health care professional component is reported separately, the service may be identified by adding modifier 26 to the usual procedure number.
TC Technical component; under certain circumstances, a charge may be made for the technical component alone; under those circumstances the technical component charge is identified by adding modifier 'tc' to the usual procedure number; technical component charges are institutional charges and not billed separately by physicians; however, portable x-ray suppliers only bill for technical component and should utilize modifier tc; the charge data from portable x-ray suppliers will then be used to build customary and prevailing profiles
Q1 Routine clinical service provided in a clinical research study that is in an approved clinical research study
GC This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician
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
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
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.
CR Catastrophe/disaster related
GZ Item or service expected to be denied as not reasonable and necessary
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
XE Separate encounter, a service that is distinct because it occurred during a separate encounter
AQ Physician providing a service in an unlisted health professional shortage area (hpsa)
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.
PN Non-excepted service provided at an off-campus, outpatient, provider-based department of a hospital
Q0 Investigational clinical service provided in a clinical research study that is in an approved clinical research study
95 Synchronous telemedicine service rendered via a real-time interactive audio and video telecommunications system: synchronous telemedicine service is defined as a real-time interaction between a physician or other qualified health care professional and a patient who is located at a distant site from the physician or other qualified health care professional. the totality of the communication of information exchanged between the physician or other qualified health care professional and the patient during the course of the synchronous telemedicine service must be of an amount and nature that would be sufficient to meet the key components and/or requirements of the same service when rendered via a face-to-face interaction. modifier 95 may only be appended to the services listed in appendix p. appendix p is the list of cpt codes for services that are typically performed face-to-face, but may be rendered via a real-time (synchronous) interactive audio and video telecommunications system.
XU Unusual non-overlapping service, the use of a service that is distinct because it does not overlap usual components of the main service
27 Multiple outpatient hospital e/m encounters on the same date: for hospital outpatient reporting purposes, utilization of hospital resources related to separate and distinct e/m encounters performed in multiple outpatient hospital settings on the same date may be reported by adding modifier 27 to each appropriate level outpatient and/or emergency department e/m code(s). this modifier provides a means of reporting circumstances involving evaluation and management services provided by physician(s) in more than one (multiple) outpatient hospital setting(s) (eg, hospital emergency department, clinic). note: this modifier is not to be used for physician reporting of multiple e/m services performed by the same physician on the same date. for physician reporting of all outpatient evaluation and management services provided by the same physician on the same date and performed in multiple outpatient setting(s) (eg, hospital emergency department, clinic), see evaluation and management, emergency department, or preventive medicine services codes.
77 Repeat procedure by another physician or other qualified health care professional: it may be necessary to indicate that a basic procedure or service was repeated by another physician or other qualified health care professional subsequent to the original procedure or service. this circumstance may be reported by adding modifier 77 to the repeated procedure or service. note: this modifier should not be appended to an e/m service.
CC Procedure code change (use 'cc' when the procedure code submitted was changed either for administrative reasons or because an incorrect code was filed)
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
LT Left side (used to identify procedures performed on the left side of the body)
PD Diagnostic or related non diagnostic item or service provided in a wholly owned or operated entity to a patient who is admitted as an inpatient within 3 days
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
QJ Services/items provided to a prisoner or patient in state or local custody, however the state or local government, as applicable, meets the requirements in 42 cfr 411.4 (b)
RT Right side (used to identify procedures performed on the right side of the body)
Date
Action
Notes
2011-01-01 Changed Short description changed.
2002-01-01 Added First appearance in code book in 2002.
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