Summary & Overview
CPT 24077: Radical Resection of Soft-Tissue Tumor, Upper Arm/Elbow
CPT code 24077 represents a radical surgical resection of a soft-tissue tumor located in the upper arm or elbow, with specimen submission under 5 cm for pathologic evaluation. This code matters nationally because it captures oncologic soft-tissue surgery that has implications for surgical quality metrics, hospital procedure mix, and resource utilization for cancer care. Accurate coding affects clinical records, payment, and downstream quality measurement for musculoskeletal oncology procedures.
Key payers discussed include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find benchmarks and contextual information on typical sites of service, the clinical context for sarcoma and other soft-tissue malignancies in the upper extremity, and common billing practices associated with major soft-tissue tumor resections. The publication outlines expected service settings (hospital OR or ambulatory surgical center), typical clinical indications, and areas where policy updates and payer rules can affect coverage and claims processing.
The report provides practical reference material for coders, clinicians, and administrators: code definition and clinical scope, payer coverage landscape, and where to look for further coding guidance. Data not available in the input is clearly noted where applicable.
Billing Code Overview
CPT code 24077 describes a radical resection of a tumor in the soft tissue of the upper arm or elbow, with submission of the specimen (less than 5 cm) for pathological analysis. The procedure involves surgical removal of a malignant or potentially malignant soft-tissue mass, such as a sarcoma, with margins appropriate for oncologic control.
Service Type: Surgical procedure — soft tissue tumor resection
Typical Site of Service: Hospital operating room or ambulatory surgical center (upper arm/elbow region)
Clinical & Coding Specifications
Clinical Context
A 54-year-old male presents with a palpable, enlarging, deep soft-tissue mass in the anterior upper arm near the distal humerus. Imaging with MRI demonstrates a 4.2 cm heterogeneous intramuscular lesion suspicious for sarcoma. Core needle biopsy suggests a high-grade soft-tissue malignancy. The orthopedic oncology surgeon schedules the patient for a radical excision of the tumor under general anesthesia. Intraoperatively the surgeon performs a wide local excision of the lesion with oncologic margins, removes the specimen intact, and sends the specimen, measured under 5 cm, to the pathology laboratory for gross and microscopic evaluation. The procedure typically occurs in an ambulatory surgical center or hospital operating room with perioperative nursing, anesthesia (general or regional), and postoperative recovery. Specimen handling includes submission for histopathology, immunohistochemistry, and possible molecular studies. Postoperative workflow includes pain control, wound care instructions, pathology review to confirm margin status, staging discussions, and coordination of adjuvant therapy if indicated.
Coding Specifications
| Modifier | Description | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
00 | Unmodified procedure | Standard reporting when no modifier applies |
11 |