Summary & Overview

CPT 17263: Destruction of Malignant Skin Lesion, 2.1–3.0 cm

CPT code 17263 represents the destruction of a malignant cutaneous lesion on the trunk, arms, or legs that is 2.1 cm to 3.0 cm in diameter, using methods such as chemosurgery, cryosurgery, electrosurgery, or other destructive techniques. This procedural code standardizes reporting for medium-sized malignant skin lesion destruction and is relevant nationally for clinicians, billing teams, and payers managing dermatologic oncology services. Key payers in the review include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare.

Readers will find a concise clinical and billing overview, typical sites of service, and the service type associated with CPT code 17263. The publication outlines common payer coverage considerations, coding context, and benchmarking elements relevant to outpatient dermatology and ambulatory surgical settings. It also highlights where data was not provided in the input so readers can identify gaps for local policy or payer contract review. The content is intended to inform coding accuracy, revenue cycle workflows, and administrative policy alignment across national payers without offering clinical recommendations.

AetnaBlue Cross Blue ShieldCigna HealthUnitedHealthcareMedicare17263CPTdermatologylesion destructioncryosurgeryelectrosurgeryoncology-proceduresambulatory-care

Billing Code Overview

CPT code 17263 describes destruction of a malignant lesion located on the trunk, arms, or legs using techniques such as chemosurgery, cryosurgery, electrosurgery, or other destructive methods. The code applies when the target lesion measures 2.1 cm to 3.0 cm in diameter.

Service type: Destruction of malignant cutaneous lesion (surgical/dermatologic procedure)

Typical site of service: Outpatient dermatology clinic, ambulatory surgical center, or physician office

Data not available in the input.

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

A 68-year-old patient presents to an outpatient dermatology clinic with a biopsy-confirmed cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma on the lateral lower leg. The lesion measures 2.5 cm in greatest diameter and is located on the left calf. After discussion of treatment options, the dermatologist schedules an in‑office destruction procedure using cryosurgery to destroy the malignant tissue. The workflow includes pre-procedure confirmation of diagnosis and lesion size, informed consent, local anesthesia as indicated, sequential freeze‑thaw cryotherapy until clinical endpoint is achieved, post‑procedure wound care instructions, and documentation of lesion size, location, technique, and complications.

Typical site of service: Ambulatory dermatology office or clinic; can occur in hospital outpatient department or ambulatory surgery center if medically indicated.

Typical service type: Destruction of a malignant cutaneous lesion on the trunk, arms, or legs measuring 2.1–3.0 cm in diameter, performed by a qualified dermatologist, surgical oncologist, or other qualified provider trained in dermatologic procedures.

Coding Specifications

Modifier	Description	When to Use
`26`	Professional component	Use when only the professional component of a service is billed separately and the technical component is reported by another entity.

Taxonomy Code	Specialty	Notes
207N00000X	Dermatology	Primary specialty performing cutaneous malignant lesion destruction; includes dermatologic surgeons.
2084P0800X	General Surgery	Surgeons who manage skin cancers on extremities and trunk, often in hospital outpatient settings.
207XS0101X	Dermatopathology	Involved in biopsy interpretation confirming malignancy prior to destruction (diagnostic role).
207RC0000X	Surgical Oncology	Manages cutaneous malignancies when multidisciplinary oncology care is required.
363LP0800X	Family Medicine	Family physicians with procedural dermatology training may perform lesion destruction in office settings.

Related Diagnoses

ICD-10 Code	Description	Clinical Relevance
`C44.309`	Squamous cell carcinoma of skin of unspecified part of trunk, unspecified site	Common malignant diagnosis for which destruction or excision may be performed on trunk/limb lesions.
`C44.11`	Malignant neoplasm of skin of lower lip	Example of malignant cutaneous sites; relevant when lesions are on head/neck rather than trunk/limbs (included for context).
`C44.219`	Squamous cell carcinoma of skin of unspecified part of face	Illustrates other common cutaneous malignancy locations; destruction codes vary by site.
`C44.91`	Basal cell carcinoma of skin, unspecified site	Basal cell carcinoma is a common indication for lesion destruction when appropriate.
`D04.3`	Carcinoma in situ of skin of trunk	In situ lesions may be managed with destruction depending on clinical judgment and guidelines.

Related CPT Codes

CPT Code	Description	Relationship to This Procedure
`11102`	Tangential biopsy of skin (e.g., shave, scissor, or other technique), single lesion; simple	Often performed prior to destruction to obtain tissue diagnosis of a suspicious lesion.
`11107`	Tangential biopsy of skin, shave biopsy, each additional lesion (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure)	Used when multiple lesions are biopsied during the same visit.
`11600`	Excision, malignant lesion including margins, trunk, arms or legs; excised diameter 0.5 cm or less (includes closure)	Surgical excision codes are alternative definitive treatment options; selected when excision is preferred over destruction.
`17260`	Destruction of premalignant lesion (e.g., actinic keratosis); first lesion	Performed for nonmalignant lesions; contrasted with `17263` which is for malignant lesions of specified size.
`17000`	Destruction of benign lesions (e.g., laser surgery, electrosurgery), first lesion	Indicates scope of lesion destruction services that may be performed for benign diagnoses.
`99024`	Postoperative follow-up visit global period, services related to routine postoperative care	Used for routine post‑procedure follow-up care during the global period when applicable.