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CPT 88239: Cell Culture From Solid Tumor for Neoplastic Disorder

CPT code 88239 denotes a laboratory procedure for culturing cells from a solid tumor in the evaluation of a neoplastic disorder. Nationally relevant to pathology and oncology services, this code captures a specialized laboratory process that supports diagnostic characterization, ancillary testing, and potential downstream therapeutic decision-making. The code is used by hospital and independent laboratories that perform cell culture from tumor tissue.

Key payers in this analysis include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare (UHC), and Medicare. Readers will find a concise explanation of the clinical and laboratory context for the code, typical sites of service, common payer coverage considerations, and the set of common modifiers associated with claims for this procedure. The publication summarizes benchmark information where available, notes policy updates affecting laboratory coding and billing for oncology-related cell culture procedures, and highlights operational considerations for hospital and independent laboratory service lines.

This summary is intended to provide coders, billing managers, and oncology practice administrators with a clear overview of what CPT code 88239 represents, its role in the diagnostic pathway for solid tumors, and the payer landscape relevant to reimbursement and claims processing.

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Billing Code Overview

CPT code 88239 describes a laboratory procedure in which a lab analyst cultures cells derived from a solid tumor to grow a cell population for evaluation in the context of a neoplastic disorder. This procedure is a cell culture from a solid tumor used for diagnostic, prognostic, or research-related purposes in oncology.

Service type: Laboratory cell culture procedure for neoplastic tissue
Typical site of service: Hospital laboratory or independent clinical pathology/laboratory facility

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CPT 88239: Cell Culture From Solid Tumor for Neoplastic Disorder

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Get alerted when payer policies referencing 88239 are released or updated.

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Billing Code Overview

Service type: Laboratory cell culture procedure for neoplastic tissue
Typical site of service: Hospital laboratory or independent clinical pathology/laboratory facility

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

A 62-year-old patient with a newly diagnosed solid neoplasm (e.g., lung, breast, or colorectal carcinoma) undergoes a diagnostic tumor biopsy. The surgical pathology team receives the resection or core biopsy specimen and forwards a portion for specialized laboratory culture to establish a viable cell culture from the solid tumor for downstream testing (cytogenetics, drug sensitivity assays, molecular studies, or creation of patient-derived xenograft material). The clinical workflow: biopsy or surgical specimen collection in an ambulatory surgical center or inpatient operating room → transport to pathology/clinical laboratory with appropriate specimen labeling and requisition → accessioning and grossing by pathology → selection and aseptic processing of viable tumor tissue by the laboratory analyst → placement into culture media and incubation under defined conditions documented in the laboratory information system → monitoring and expansion of tumor cell colonies for subsequent analyses. Typical site of service: hospital pathology laboratory, hospital-based outpatient laboratory, or specialized cancer center laboratory. Typical patient scenario: specimen obtained during biopsy or surgical excision for a solid tumor; physician orders culture for diagnostic cytogenetics, research, or therapeutic planning.

Coding Specifications

Modifier	Description	When to Use
`26`	Professional component	Use when reporting only the professional interpretation component if split billing applies.
`59`	Distinct procedural service	Use when this cultured cell procedure is distinct from another laboratory procedure performed on the same day and not normally reported together.
`62`	Two surgeons	Use when two surgeons share responsibility for the biopsy that provided tissue for culture and payor requires modifier for split surgical responsibility.
`78`	Unplanned return to operating/procedure room	Use when the patient returns intra‑ or post‑operatively for an unplanned procedure that results in additional tissue collection for culture.
`80`	Assistant surgeon	Use when an assistant surgeon participated in the procedure obtaining the specimen and the payor requires reporting.
`90`	Reference (outside) laboratory	Use when the specimen is sent to an outside laboratory for culture and testing.
`91`	Repeat clinical diagnostic test	Use when the culture procedure is repeated on the same patient on the same day for verification (note: `91` is not in the provided list; do not use)
`52`	Reduced services	Use when the culture procedure is partially reduced or not completed as originally intended.
`53`	Discontinued procedure	Use when the culture attempt is discontinued due to specimen nonviability or other clinical reasons.
`62`	Two surgeons	Duplicate entry omitted to avoid redundancy.

Taxonomy Code	Specialty	Notes
`207Q00000X`	Anatomic Pathology & Clinical Pathology	Pathologists oversee specimen selection and diagnostic interpretation.
`207L00000X`	Laboratory Director	Clinical laboratory directors supervise specialized culture procedures and quality assurance.
`207K00000X`	Histocompatibility & Immunogenetics	Specialists who may direct tumor culture for immunogenetic testing.
`363A00000X`	Medical Oncology	Orders tumor culture for therapeutic planning and research.
`207X00000X`	Surgical Pathology	Surgeons and surgical pathologists coordinate specimen procurement and processing.

Related Diagnoses

ICD-10 Code	Description	Clinical Relevance
`C34.9`	Malignant neoplasm of bronchus and lung, unspecified	Primary lung tumors commonly submitted for culture to guide targeted therapy or research.
`C50.912`	Malignant neoplasm of unspecified site of right female breast	Breast carcinoma specimens often cultured for receptor testing, drug sensitivity, or research models.
`C18.9`	Malignant neoplasm of colon, unspecified	Colorectal tumors are candidates for culture when molecular panels or chemosensitivity assays are needed.
`C61`	Malignant neoplasm of prostate gland	Prostate tumor tissue may be cultured for specialized studies or experimental assays.
`C71.9`	Malignant neoplasm of brain, unspecified	Brain tumor samples can be cultured for neuropathology reference labs or research purposes.
`D49.1`	Neoplasm of uncertain behavior of bone and articular cartilage	Tumors of uncertain behavior may require culture for additional characterization.
`C80.1`	Malignant (primary) neoplasm, unspecified site	Used when primary site is undetermined and tissue culture supports diagnostic workup.

Related CPT Codes

CPT Code	Description	Relationship to This Procedure
`88309`	Surgical pathology, gross and microscopic examination of tissue, level IV	Performed on the same specimen to provide diagnostic pathology that guides whether culture is indicated.
`88384`	Special stains, immunohistochemistry (IHC) qualitative; each antibody stain	Used on tissue sections to subtype tumors prior to or in parallel with culture-based testing.
`88104`	Cytopathology, smears, initial interpretation	May be performed on needle biopsy specimens before or instead of culture to provide rapid diagnosis.
`88237`	Cytogenetic analysis; cell culture for chromosome studies, initiation of cell culture	Related cytogenetic cell culture work that may be ordered alongside tumor cell culture for chromosomal analysis.
`89240`	Development of primary cell culture	Laboratory code for propagation of cells; used in workflows that require expansion of tumor cells for testing.

CPT 88230: Lymphocyte Tissue Culture for Nonneoplastic Disorders

CPT-88233-TISSUE-CULTURE-SKIN-SOLID-TISSUE-NONNEOPLASTIC

CPT 88233: Tissue Culture from Skin or Solid Tissue Biopsy for Nonneoplastic Disorder

CPT-88235-AMNIOTIC-FLUID-CHORIONIC-VILLUS-TISSUE-CULTURE

CPT 88235: Amniotic Fluid or Chorionic Villus Tissue Culture for Chromosome Analysis

CPT-88237-BONE-MARROW-BLOOD-CELL-CULTURE-NEOPLASTIC-DISORDER

CPT 88237: Cell Culture for Bone Marrow or Blood in Neoplastic Disorder

CPT-88240-CELL-LINE-CRYOPRESERVATION-STORAGE

CPT 88240: Cryopreservation and Storage of Cell Line

CPT-88241-THAW-AND-EXPAND-FROZEN-CELLS-SINGLE-ALIQUOT

CPT 88241: Thaw and Expand Previously Frozen Cells, Single Aliquot

CPT-88245-CHROMOSOME-ANALYSIS-SISTER-CHROMATID-EXCHANGE-SCE

CPT 88245: Chromosome Analysis for Sister Chromatid Exchange

CPT-88248-CHROMOSOME-ANALYSIS-BREAKAGE-SYNDROME

CPT 88248: Chromosome Analysis for Breakage Syndromes

CPT-88249-CHROMOSOME-ANALYSIS-BREAKAGE-SYNDROME-CLASTOGEN-STRESS

CPT 88249: Chromosome Analysis for Breakage Syndrome, 100-Cell Clastogen Stress

CPT-88261-CHROMOSOME-ANALYSIS-KARYOTYPE-BANDING

CPT 88261: Chromosome Analysis with Banded Karyotype

Showing 1–10 of 26

Frequently Asked Questions

References

1.CPT® Codes and Descriptions. AAPC. Retrieved Jul 29, 2026.
2.HCPCS Quarterly Update. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Jul 29, 2026.
3.ICD-10-CM Full Code List. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Jul 29, 2026.

Published by

Trek Health powers OpenPayer with a leading commercial payer intelligence platform, seamlessly converting fragmented payer data into actionable insights for provider organizations.

Trek Health ingests and normalizes Transparency in Coverage data and payer policy updates to give provider organizations a clear view of how commercial reimbursement behaves across markets, payers, and services. Our platform transforms raw payer disclosures into structured intelligence that supports contract evaluation, payer negotiations, and service line strategy. By combining market benchmarks with ongoing policy visibility, Trek helps teams identify variability, risk, and opportunity in commercial reimbursement. The result is faster insight, stronger negotiating positions, and more informed financial decisions.

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

Coding Specifications

Modifier	Description	When to Use
`26`	Professional component	Use when reporting only the professional interpretation component if split billing applies.
`59`	Distinct procedural service	Use when this cultured cell procedure is distinct from another laboratory procedure performed on the same day and not normally reported together.
`62`	Two surgeons	Use when two surgeons share responsibility for the biopsy that provided tissue for culture and payor requires modifier for split surgical responsibility.
`78`	Unplanned return to operating/procedure room	Use when the patient returns intra‑ or post‑operatively for an unplanned procedure that results in additional tissue collection for culture.
`80`	Assistant surgeon	Use when an assistant surgeon participated in the procedure obtaining the specimen and the payor requires reporting.
`90`	Reference (outside) laboratory	Use when the specimen is sent to an outside laboratory for culture and testing.
`91`	Repeat clinical diagnostic test	Use when the culture procedure is repeated on the same patient on the same day for verification (note: `91` is not in the provided list; do not use)
`52`	Reduced services	Use when the culture procedure is partially reduced or not completed as originally intended.
`53`	Discontinued procedure	Use when the culture attempt is discontinued due to specimen nonviability or other clinical reasons.
`62`	Two surgeons	Duplicate entry omitted to avoid redundancy.

Taxonomy Code	Specialty	Notes
`207Q00000X`	Anatomic Pathology & Clinical Pathology	Pathologists oversee specimen selection and diagnostic interpretation.
`207L00000X`	Laboratory Director	Clinical laboratory directors supervise specialized culture procedures and quality assurance.
`207K00000X`	Histocompatibility & Immunogenetics	Specialists who may direct tumor culture for immunogenetic testing.
`363A00000X`	Medical Oncology	Orders tumor culture for therapeutic planning and research.
`207X00000X`	Surgical Pathology	Surgeons and surgical pathologists coordinate specimen procurement and processing.

Related Diagnoses

ICD-10 Code	Description	Clinical Relevance
`C34.9`	Malignant neoplasm of bronchus and lung, unspecified	Primary lung tumors commonly submitted for culture to guide targeted therapy or research.
`C50.912`	Malignant neoplasm of unspecified site of right female breast	Breast carcinoma specimens often cultured for receptor testing, drug sensitivity, or research models.
`C18.9`	Malignant neoplasm of colon, unspecified	Colorectal tumors are candidates for culture when molecular panels or chemosensitivity assays are needed.
`C61`	Malignant neoplasm of prostate gland	Prostate tumor tissue may be cultured for specialized studies or experimental assays.
`C71.9`	Malignant neoplasm of brain, unspecified	Brain tumor samples can be cultured for neuropathology reference labs or research purposes.
`D49.1`	Neoplasm of uncertain behavior of bone and articular cartilage	Tumors of uncertain behavior may require culture for additional characterization.
`C80.1`	Malignant (primary) neoplasm, unspecified site	Used when primary site is undetermined and tissue culture supports diagnostic workup.

Related CPT Codes

CPT Code	Description	Relationship to This Procedure
`88309`	Surgical pathology, gross and microscopic examination of tissue, level IV	Performed on the same specimen to provide diagnostic pathology that guides whether culture is indicated.
`88384`	Special stains, immunohistochemistry (IHC) qualitative; each antibody stain	Used on tissue sections to subtype tumors prior to or in parallel with culture-based testing.
`88104`	Cytopathology, smears, initial interpretation	May be performed on needle biopsy specimens before or instead of culture to provide rapid diagnosis.
`88237`	Cytogenetic analysis; cell culture for chromosome studies, initiation of cell culture	Related cytogenetic cell culture work that may be ordered alongside tumor cell culture for chromosomal analysis.
`89240`	Development of primary cell culture	Laboratory code for propagation of cells; used in workflows that require expansion of tumor cells for testing.

CPT 88230: Lymphocyte Tissue Culture for Nonneoplastic Disorders

CPT-88233-TISSUE-CULTURE-SKIN-SOLID-TISSUE-NONNEOPLASTIC

CPT 88233: Tissue Culture from Skin or Solid Tissue Biopsy for Nonneoplastic Disorder

CPT-88235-AMNIOTIC-FLUID-CHORIONIC-VILLUS-TISSUE-CULTURE

CPT 88235: Amniotic Fluid or Chorionic Villus Tissue Culture for Chromosome Analysis

CPT-88237-BONE-MARROW-BLOOD-CELL-CULTURE-NEOPLASTIC-DISORDER

CPT 88237: Cell Culture for Bone Marrow or Blood in Neoplastic Disorder

CPT-88240-CELL-LINE-CRYOPRESERVATION-STORAGE

CPT 88240: Cryopreservation and Storage of Cell Line

CPT-88241-THAW-AND-EXPAND-FROZEN-CELLS-SINGLE-ALIQUOT

CPT 88241: Thaw and Expand Previously Frozen Cells, Single Aliquot

CPT-88245-CHROMOSOME-ANALYSIS-SISTER-CHROMATID-EXCHANGE-SCE

CPT 88245: Chromosome Analysis for Sister Chromatid Exchange

CPT-88248-CHROMOSOME-ANALYSIS-BREAKAGE-SYNDROME

CPT 88248: Chromosome Analysis for Breakage Syndromes

CPT-88249-CHROMOSOME-ANALYSIS-BREAKAGE-SYNDROME-CLASTOGEN-STRESS

CPT 88249: Chromosome Analysis for Breakage Syndrome, 100-Cell Clastogen Stress

CPT-88261-CHROMOSOME-ANALYSIS-KARYOTYPE-BANDING

CPT 88261: Chromosome Analysis with Banded Karyotype

Showing 1–10 of 26

Frequently Asked Questions

References

1.CPT® Codes and Descriptions. AAPC. Retrieved Jul 29, 2026.
2.HCPCS Quarterly Update. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Jul 29, 2026.
3.ICD-10-CM Full Code List. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Jul 29, 2026.

Published by

Trek Health powers OpenPayer with a leading commercial payer intelligence platform, seamlessly converting fragmented payer data into actionable insights for provider organizations.

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CPT 88239: Cell Culture From Solid Tumor for Neoplastic Disorder

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Billing Code Overview

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CPT 88239: Cell Culture From Solid Tumor for Neoplastic Disorder

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Billing Code Overview

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

Coding Specifications

Related Diagnoses

Related CPT Codes

Related Codes

References

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

Coding Specifications

Related Diagnoses

Related CPT Codes

Related Codes

References

CPT 88239: Cell Culture From Solid Tumor for Neoplastic Disorder

Sign up for cpt 88239 policy alerts

Billing Code Overview

CPT 88239: Cell Culture From Solid Tumor for Neoplastic Disorder

Sign up for cpt 88239 policy alerts

Billing Code Overview

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

Coding Specifications

Related Diagnoses

Related CPT Codes

Related Codes

What clinical procedure does CPT 88239 represent and where is it typically performed?

Which other CPT codes are commonly associated with or performed alongside 88239?

What modifiers are commonly used with 88239 and when might they apply?

In what patient scenarios and workflow is 88239 used?

Which payers are noted for CPT 88239 and does the page provide reimbursement rates?

References

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

Coding Specifications

Related Diagnoses

Related CPT Codes

Related Codes

What clinical procedure does CPT 88239 represent and where is it typically performed?

Which other CPT codes are commonly associated with or performed alongside 88239?

What modifiers are commonly used with 88239 and when might they apply?

In what patient scenarios and workflow is 88239 used?

Which payers are noted for CPT 88239 and does the page provide reimbursement rates?

References