Summary & Overview
CPT 25077: Radical Resection of Soft-Tissue Tumor, Forearm/Wrist, <3 cm
CPT code 25077 denotes a radical surgical resection of a soft-tissue tumor in the forearm or wrist with specimen submission under 3 cm. This code captures an oncologic procedure that can be clinically significant due to complexity of limb-sparing resections, need for clear margins, and downstream diagnostic pathology. Nationally, accurate coding for soft-tissue tumor resections affects surgical quality reporting, oncology care coordination, and procedure-level payment policies.
Key payers reviewed include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find a concise explanation of the clinical service represented by the code, the typical sites of care where the procedure is performed, and the operational implications for billing and documentation. The publication also provides benchmarks and policy context relevant to payers and providers, such as common modifier usage, clinical context for oncology surgeons, and considerations for specimen handling and pathology submission. Data limitations are noted when specific payer policies or related code groupings are not available in the input.
Billing Code Overview
CPT code 25077 describes a radical resection of a tumor in the soft tissue of the forearm and/or wrist. The procedure involves surgical removal of a soft-tissue mass, such as a sarcoma or other malignant tumor, with submission of the specimen measuring less than 3 cm to a laboratory for pathological analysis to determine tumor type and margins.
Service Type: Surgical oncology procedure — soft tissue tumor excision
Typical Site of Service: Ambulatory surgical center or hospital operating room
Clinical & Coding Specifications
Clinical Context
A 54-year-old patient presents with a progressively enlarging, firm mass in the volar soft tissues of the distal forearm, causing localized pain and restricted wrist motion. Preoperative MRI suggests a 2.2 cm soft-tissue neoplasm suspicious for sarcoma. The surgical team schedules a radical resection of the forearm/wrist soft-tissue tumor under general anesthesia. Intraoperative steps include tumor exposure, wide local excision with margin assessment, hemostasis, specimen orientation and inking, and submission of the intact specimen (measuring less than 3 cm) to pathology for histologic and molecular analysis. Typical perioperative documentation includes informed consent specifying tumor resection, anesthesia record, procedure note detailing technique and margins, specimen label and handoff, and postoperative instructions for wound care and follow-up oncology consultation for staging and adjuvant therapy planning.
Coding Specifications
| Modifier | Description | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
LT | Left side | When procedure was performed on the left forearm/wrist |
RT | Right side | When procedure was performed on the right forearm/wrist |
50 | Bilateral procedure | When simultaneous bilateral forearm/wrist resections are performed (rare) |
62 | Co-surgeons | When two surgeons from different specialties perform distinct portions of the resection |
66 | Surgical team | When multiple surgeons function as a surgical team for a complex resection |
52 | Reduced services | When the planned resection is partially reduced or limited compared with standard service |
53 | Discontinued procedure | If the procedure is started but discontinued for risks or unforeseen conditions |
22 | Increased procedural services | When work, time, or complexity substantially exceeds typical requirements (must be well documented) |
78 | Return to operating room for related procedure during the global period | For repeat operative management of complications related to the initial resection |
79 | (Not in provided list) | Data not available in the input. |
26 | Professional component | If only the physician interpretation portion of an associated diagnostic test is billed separately |
TC | Technical component | For billing only the technical component of a related diagnostic service (e.g., pathology processing billed by facility) |
52 | Reduced services | Duplicate entry consolidated when applicable (see above) |
| Taxonomy Code | Specialty | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 208100000X | Orthopaedic Surgery | Orthopaedic oncologists or hand surgeons commonly perform forearm soft tissue tumor resections |
| 208000000X | General Surgery | Surgical oncologists or general surgeons with oncologic experience may perform resections |
| 207S00000X | Plastic Surgery | Reconstructive surgeons assist with complex closures or flap reconstruction after wide excision |
| 207K00000X | Hand Surgery | Hand surgeons perform tumor resections in wrist/forearm with attention to tendon and nerve preservation |
| 2086S0124X | Surgical Oncology | Surgeons specializing in oncologic resections for soft tissue sarcomas |
Related Diagnoses
| ICD-10 Code | Description | Clinical Relevance |
|---|---|---|
C49.A9 | Malignant neoplasm of connective and soft tissue of upper limb, unspecified | Primary malignant soft-tissue tumors (sarcomas) of the forearm/wrist indicating need for radical resection |
D48.1 | Neoplasm of uncertain behavior of connective and other soft tissue | Lesions of uncertain malignant potential requiring excision and pathologic assessment |
M79.60 | Pain in unspecified limb | Symptom code that may accompany a soft-tissue mass prompting evaluation and surgical treatment |
M79.89 | Other specified soft tissue disorders | Symptomatic benign soft-tissue masses where excision may be indicated for diagnosis or relief |
C49.12 | Malignant neoplasm of connective and soft tissue of forearm | Site-specific malignant diagnosis supporting radical tumor resection |
Related CPT Codes
| CPT Code | Description | Relationship to This Procedure |
|---|---|---|
25077 | Excision, tumor, soft tissue of forearm and/or wrist; radical resection, specimen less than 3 cm | Primary procedure: radical resection of a forearm/wrist soft-tissue tumor (specimen <3 cm) |
11042 | Debridement, subcutaneous tissue (includes tumoral debridement if performed) | May be used if extensive debridement of subcutaneous tissue is required in the operative field |
88305 | Surgical pathology, gross and microscopic examination, intermediate complexity | Common pathology code for evaluation of submitted soft-tissue tumor specimens |
20550 | Injection(s); single tendon sheath, or ligament, with or without anesthetic | May be performed separately for postoperative pain management or diagnostic adjunct prior to surgery (limited applicability) |
26853 | Excision of tumor, soft tissue of forearm/hand; radical, with complex closure or reconstruction | Related when additional reconstructive procedures are needed beyond simple closure (select based on actual work performed) |