Summary & Overview
CPT 21933: Subfascial Soft Tissue Tumor Excision, Back or Flank (≥5 cm)
Headline: CPT code 21933 Defines Large Subfascial Soft Tissue Tumor Excision for Back and Flank
Lead: CPT code 21933 identifies the surgical removal of subfascial soft tissue tumors 5 cm or larger located on the back or flank. The code captures a distinct, higher-complexity excision that is relevant for surgical oncology, hospital resource planning, and payer coverage determinations nationwide.
CPT code 21933 represents a specific operative service for sizable subfascial tumors, distinguishing it from more superficial or smaller lesion excisions. Nationally, accurate use of this code matters for procedural classification, quality measurement, and claims adjudication for higher-complexity soft tissue tumor surgery. Key payers included in typical analyses are Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare.
Readers will learn: the clinical context and operative scope associated with 21933; typical sites of service where the procedure is delivered; common modifiers used in billing practice (input provided); and where to look for additional coding details. This publication focuses on benchmarks, clinical context, and coding boundaries rather than individualized medical advice. Data not available in the input for Associated Taxonomies, specific ICD-10 diagnoses, or related CPT codes.
Billing Code Overview
CPT code 21933 describes a subfascial soft tissue tumor excision performed by physicians to remove soft tissue tumors that are 5 cm or larger located beneath the skin and fascia of the back or flank. This procedure involves dissection beneath the fascial layer to achieve complete tumor removal and appropriate margins when clinically indicated.
-
Service type: Surgical excision of soft tissue tumor, subfascial
-
Typical site of service: Hospital outpatient department or ambulatory surgical center; may also occur in inpatient surgical settings depending on complexity and perioperative needs
Data not available in the input for Associated Taxonomies, ICD-10 Diagnoses, and Related Codes.
Clinical & Coding Specifications
Clinical Context
A 58-year-old male presents to the surgical clinic with a progressively enlarging, painless soft tissue mass on the left paraspinal region of the back. Physical exam demonstrates a palpable, deep-seated nodule fixed beneath the fascia and measuring clinically greater than 5 cm. Imaging with MRI of the back confirms a 6.2 cm subfascial soft tissue tumor without obvious invasion of underlying bony structures. The patient is evaluated by an orthopedic oncology or general surgical oncologist who obtains informed consent for excision. Preoperative workflow includes history and physical, review of imaging, perioperative medical clearance, marking the operative site, and documentation of tumor size and location. In the operating room under general anesthesia, the surgeon makes an incision over the lesion, dissects through subcutaneous tissue, identifies and opens the fascia, and performs a subfascial soft tissue tumor excision with margin control. Hemostasis is achieved, drains are placed as indicated, and the fascia and skin are closed. Postoperative care includes monitoring in the PACU, wound care instructions, pathology specimen submission with tumor dimensions, and follow-up for wound check and pathology review.
Coding Specifications
| Modifier | Description | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
22 | Increased procedural services | Use when work required is substantially greater than typical for 21933 due to complexity, extensive dissection, or unexpected intraoperative findings. |