CPT 88358: Morphometric Tumor Analysis for DNA Ploidy

CPT code 88358 identifies a specialized pathology procedure: morphometric analysis of tumors to evaluate DNA ploidy and quantitative cellular features such as size and shape. This test supports diagnostic and prognostic evaluation in oncology by characterizing chromosomal content and morphologic metrics that can inform clinical interpretation. Nationally, the code matters because it represents a distinct, reportable pathology service with implications for laboratory workflow, coding compliance, and payment policy for tumor characterization services.

Key payers in this analysis include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find an overview of the clinical context for morphometric tumor analysis, common settings where the service is provided, and typical coding considerations tied to pathology service lines. The publication outlines available benchmarks and payment considerations where provided, describes relevant clinical scenarios for ordering the test, and summarizes policy and billing elements that affect use of 88358 in laboratory and hospital pathology settings.

Data not available in the input for associated taxonomies, specific ICD-10 pairings, and related codes are noted as unavailable.

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Billing Code Overview

CPT code 88358 describes a morphometric analysis of a tumor performed by a clinician, typically a pathologist, to evaluate DNA ploidy (chromosome content) of tumor cells and assess cell size, shape, and other morphologic features. This service is a specialized pathology morphology and morphometry analysis used to characterize neoplastic tissue quantitatively.

Service type: Specialized pathology morphometric analysis
Typical site of service: Hospital pathology laboratory or reference pathology laboratory

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CPT 88358: Morphometric Tumor Analysis for DNA Ploidy

Data not available in the input for associated taxonomies, specific ICD-10 pairings, and related codes are noted as unavailable.

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Get alerted when payer policies referencing 88358 are released or updated.

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Billing Code Overview

Service type: Specialized pathology morphometric analysis
Typical site of service: Hospital pathology laboratory or reference pathology laboratory

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

A typical patient is an adult being evaluated after surgical resection or biopsy of a solid tumor (commonly breast, colorectal, or gynecologic tumors) in which the pathologist performs morphometric analysis to assess DNA ploidy and nuclear features. The specimen arrives in the pathology laboratory as fixed tissue; a histotechnologist prepares sections and stains (for example, Feulgen stoichiometric stain or hematoxylin and eosin when appropriate). The pathologist reviews slides microscopically, selects representative areas, and uses image analysis software or cytophotometry to quantify nuclear size, shape, and DNA content. Results are reported in the final pathology report and used by the oncology team to help assess tumor biology, prognosis, and potential need for adjuvant therapy. Typical site of service is the hospital pathology laboratory or independent clinical laboratory; the performing clinician is usually a pathologist with subspecialty interest in surgical pathology or molecular diagnostics. Relevant clinical workflow steps: specimen accessioning, grossing, slide preparation, microscopic selection of regions of interest, image acquisition, morphometric/DNA ploidy analysis, interpretation, and reporting to the treating clinician.

Related Diagnoses

ICD-10 Code	Description	Clinical Relevance
`C50.911`	Malignant neoplasm of unspecified site of right female breast	Breast carcinomas are commonly evaluated with morphometric/DNA ploidy analysis to assess tumor biology and prognosis.
`C18.9`	Malignant neoplasm of colon, unspecified	Colorectal tumors may undergo morphometric and DNA ploidy testing to inform prognosis and research classification.
`C56.9`	Malignant neoplasm of ovary, unspecified	Ovarian tumors are candidates for morphometric analysis as part of histopathologic and prognostic assessment.
`C71.9`	Malignant neoplasm of brain, unspecified	Central nervous system tumors may be analyzed for nuclear features and ploidy to aid classification.
`D49.3`	Neoplasm of unspecified behavior of breast	Indeterminate or borderline lesions may have morphometric studies to help risk stratification.

Related CPT Codes

CPT Code	Description	Relationship to This Procedure
`88305`	Surgical pathology, gross and microscopic examination, single specimen; level IV (or commonly reported level based on complexity)	Performed before morphometric analysis as the standard histologic review and selection of representative tissue for analysis.
`88342`	Immunohistochemistry or immunocytochemistry, per specimen; initial single antibody stain	Often performed alongside morphometric analysis to characterize tumor phenotype and correlate with DNA ploidy findings.
`88367`	Morphometric analysis; tissue cytometry (e.g., automated nuclear image analysis)	Related technique code for image analysis of nuclei; may be billed in conjunction or when specific cytometry methodology is used.
`88360`	Morphometric analysis; manual point counting or stereology	Alternative morphometric technique code that can be used depending on method.
`89240`	DNA probe, flow cytometry or image cytometry (example code for cytometry services)	Performed when additional DNA content or ploidy testing is done using flow cytometry methods complementary to image-based morphometry.

Related Modifiers

9 rows

Modifier	Description	When to Use
26	Modifier 26 (Professional Component) identifies and bills only the professional portion of a split service — the physician’s interpretation, report, and medical judgment — when the technical…	- Use CPT Modifier -26 when you are billing only the professional component (PC) of a split‑bill eligible service—i.e., you performed the physician interpretation, medical judgment and prepared a…
59	Modifier 59 indicates a distinct procedural service when two procedures that are not normally billed together are clinically and procedurally separate. The CPT definition (as reiterated by CMS)…	- Use modifier -59 to report a distinct procedural service when documentation supports that the procedure reported is not normally billed together with another service on the same day because of a…
62	Modifier 62 indicates that two surgeons function as co‑surgeons, each performing distinct parts of the same primary surgical procedure. It is appended to the primary procedure code (and any…	- Use modifier -62 when two surgeons act as co‑surgeons (both primary surgeons) on a single definitive primary procedure, each performing distinct parts of the same surgical procedure (append -62 to…
80	CPT® Modifier 80 (Assistant Surgeon) is appended to a surgical CPT code when a physician (MD or DO) provides full, continuous assistance throughout the operative procedure. It is intended only for…	- Use CPT Modifier -80 when a physician (MD or DO) serves as an assistant surgeon and provides full, continuous assistance throughout the entire operative procedure; append -80 to the surgical CPT…
90	Modifier ‑90 (Reference/Outside Laboratory) indicates that a laboratory test was performed by an entity other than the treating or reporting provider. The American Medical Association defines…	- Use CPT modifier -90 when a laboratory test is performed by an outside/reference laboratory (an entity other than the treating or reporting physician or qualified professional) and the claim needs…
22	Modifier –22 (Increased Procedural Services) is used when a reported procedure is substantially more extensive than normally required. The CPT Manual and CMS state it may be appended only when the…	- When to use: Append modifier -22 to a procedural CPT code when the service performed is substantially more extensive than the usual service described by that code — i.e., the procedure required…
52	Modifier ‑52 (Reduced Services) indicates that a service or procedure was partially reduced or omitted at the provider’s discretion, allowing reporting of the basic procedure number with a qualifier…	- Use modifier -52 when a physician or qualified health professional electively reduces or omits part of a procedure or service (for example, performing fewer required views or omitting a portion of…
53	Modifier 53 (Discontinued Procedure) signals that a surgical or diagnostic service was begun by the physician but terminated because of extenuating circumstances that threatened the patient’s…	- Use modifier -53 when a physician/qualified healthcare professional has started a surgical or diagnostic procedure (e.g., anesthesia administered, incision or scope insertion) and then discontinues…
78	CPT modifier -78 indicates an unplanned, related return to the operating or procedure room by the same provider during the global postoperative period. It is appended when treatment for a…	- Use modifier -78 when an unplanned, related complication during the original procedure’s global postoperative period requires the patient to return to a formal operating or procedure room and the…

Related Provider Taxonomies

8 rows

Taxonomy Code	Specialty	Notes
207RR0500X	Rheumatology Physician	An internist who treats diseases of joints, muscle, bones and tendons. This specialist diagnoses and treats arthritis, back pain, muscle strains, comm…
207RC0000X	Cardiovascular Disease Physician	An internist who specializes in diseases of the heart and blood vessels and manages complex cardiac conditions such as heart attacks and life-threaten…
208000000X	Pediatrics Physician	A pediatrician is concerned with the physical, emotional and social health of children from birth to young adulthood. Care encompasses a broad spectru…
341800000X	Military/U.S. Coast Guard Transport	Transportation Services · Military/U.S. Coast Guard Transport
174400000X	Specialist	An individual educated and trained in an applied knowledge discipline used in the performance of work at a level requiring knowledge and skills beyond…
101YS0200X	School Counselor	Behavioral Health & Social Service Providers · Counselor
1223P0300X	Periodontics	That specialty of dentistry which encompasses the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the supporting and surrounding tissues of the tee…
207Y00000X	Otolaryngology Physician	An otolaryngologist-head and neck surgeon provides comprehensive medical and surgical care for patients with diseases and disorders that affect the ea…

CPT 88300: Level I Surgical Pathology — Specimen Accessioning and Gross Examination

CPT-88302-SURGICAL-PATHOLOGY-LEVEL-II-GROSS-AND-MICROSCOPIC-EXAMINATION

CPT 88302: Surgical Pathology, Level II - Gross and Microscopic Examination

CPT-88304-SURGICAL-PATHOLOGY-LEVEL-III-GROSS-AND-MICROSCOPIC

CPT 88304: Surgical Pathology Level III, Gross and Microscopic Examination

CPT-88305-SURGICAL-PATHOLOGY-LEVEL-IV-EXAMINATION

CPT 88305: Surgical Pathology, Level IV Examination

CPT-88307-SURGICAL-PATHOLOGY-LEVEL-V-EXAMINATION

CPT 88307: Surgical Pathology Level V Examination

CPT-88309-LEVEL-VI-SURGICAL-PATHOLOGY-EXAMINATION

CPT 88309: Level VI Surgical Pathology Examination

CPT-88311-DECALCIFICATION-SPECIMEN-PREPARATION

CPT 88311: Decalcification of Specimen for Histologic Examination

CPT-88312-SPECIAL-STAIN-MICROORGANISMS-TECHNICAL-COMPONENT

CPT 88312: Special Stain for Microorganisms, Technical Component

CPT-88313-SPECIAL-STAIN-TECHNICAL-COMPONENT

CPT 88313: Special Stain Technical Component for Group II Identification

CPT-88314-FROZEN-TISSUE-HISTOCHEMICAL-SPECIAL-STAIN

CPT 88314: Frozen Tissue Histochemical Special Stain with Interpretation

Showing 1–10 of 47

Frequently Asked Questions

References

1.CPT® Codes and Descriptions. AAPC. Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.Maintains the CPT code set's official descriptions and guidelines, licensed from the American Medical Association, used as the definitional source for CPT codes on this page.
2.HCPCS Quarterly Update. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's quarterly release of HCPCS Level II codes and short/long descriptors, the source for HCPCS code definitions and update history.
3.ICD-10-CM Full Code List. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's complete ICD-10-CM diagnosis code list, used to cross-reference diagnosis codes associated with this procedure or service.

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Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

Related Diagnoses

ICD-10 Code	Description	Clinical Relevance
`C50.911`	Malignant neoplasm of unspecified site of right female breast	Breast carcinomas are commonly evaluated with morphometric/DNA ploidy analysis to assess tumor biology and prognosis.
`C18.9`	Malignant neoplasm of colon, unspecified	Colorectal tumors may undergo morphometric and DNA ploidy testing to inform prognosis and research classification.
`C56.9`	Malignant neoplasm of ovary, unspecified	Ovarian tumors are candidates for morphometric analysis as part of histopathologic and prognostic assessment.
`C71.9`	Malignant neoplasm of brain, unspecified	Central nervous system tumors may be analyzed for nuclear features and ploidy to aid classification.
`D49.3`	Neoplasm of unspecified behavior of breast	Indeterminate or borderline lesions may have morphometric studies to help risk stratification.

Related CPT Codes

CPT Code	Description	Relationship to This Procedure
`88305`	Surgical pathology, gross and microscopic examination, single specimen; level IV (or commonly reported level based on complexity)	Performed before morphometric analysis as the standard histologic review and selection of representative tissue for analysis.
`88342`	Immunohistochemistry or immunocytochemistry, per specimen; initial single antibody stain	Often performed alongside morphometric analysis to characterize tumor phenotype and correlate with DNA ploidy findings.
`88367`	Morphometric analysis; tissue cytometry (e.g., automated nuclear image analysis)	Related technique code for image analysis of nuclei; may be billed in conjunction or when specific cytometry methodology is used.
`88360`	Morphometric analysis; manual point counting or stereology	Alternative morphometric technique code that can be used depending on method.
`89240`	DNA probe, flow cytometry or image cytometry (example code for cytometry services)	Performed when additional DNA content or ploidy testing is done using flow cytometry methods complementary to image-based morphometry.

Related Modifiers

9 rows

Modifier	Description	When to Use
26	Modifier 26 (Professional Component) identifies and bills only the professional portion of a split service — the physician’s interpretation, report, and medical judgment — when the technical…	- Use CPT Modifier -26 when you are billing only the professional component (PC) of a split‑bill eligible service—i.e., you performed the physician interpretation, medical judgment and prepared a…
59	Modifier 59 indicates a distinct procedural service when two procedures that are not normally billed together are clinically and procedurally separate. The CPT definition (as reiterated by CMS)…	- Use modifier -59 to report a distinct procedural service when documentation supports that the procedure reported is not normally billed together with another service on the same day because of a…
62	Modifier 62 indicates that two surgeons function as co‑surgeons, each performing distinct parts of the same primary surgical procedure. It is appended to the primary procedure code (and any…	- Use modifier -62 when two surgeons act as co‑surgeons (both primary surgeons) on a single definitive primary procedure, each performing distinct parts of the same surgical procedure (append -62 to…
80	CPT® Modifier 80 (Assistant Surgeon) is appended to a surgical CPT code when a physician (MD or DO) provides full, continuous assistance throughout the operative procedure. It is intended only for…	- Use CPT Modifier -80 when a physician (MD or DO) serves as an assistant surgeon and provides full, continuous assistance throughout the entire operative procedure; append -80 to the surgical CPT…
90	Modifier ‑90 (Reference/Outside Laboratory) indicates that a laboratory test was performed by an entity other than the treating or reporting provider. The American Medical Association defines…	- Use CPT modifier -90 when a laboratory test is performed by an outside/reference laboratory (an entity other than the treating or reporting physician or qualified professional) and the claim needs…
22	Modifier –22 (Increased Procedural Services) is used when a reported procedure is substantially more extensive than normally required. The CPT Manual and CMS state it may be appended only when the…	- When to use: Append modifier -22 to a procedural CPT code when the service performed is substantially more extensive than the usual service described by that code — i.e., the procedure required…
52	Modifier ‑52 (Reduced Services) indicates that a service or procedure was partially reduced or omitted at the provider’s discretion, allowing reporting of the basic procedure number with a qualifier…	- Use modifier -52 when a physician or qualified health professional electively reduces or omits part of a procedure or service (for example, performing fewer required views or omitting a portion of…
53	Modifier 53 (Discontinued Procedure) signals that a surgical or diagnostic service was begun by the physician but terminated because of extenuating circumstances that threatened the patient’s…	- Use modifier -53 when a physician/qualified healthcare professional has started a surgical or diagnostic procedure (e.g., anesthesia administered, incision or scope insertion) and then discontinues…
78	CPT modifier -78 indicates an unplanned, related return to the operating or procedure room by the same provider during the global postoperative period. It is appended when treatment for a…	- Use modifier -78 when an unplanned, related complication during the original procedure’s global postoperative period requires the patient to return to a formal operating or procedure room and the…

Related Provider Taxonomies

8 rows

Taxonomy Code	Specialty	Notes
207RR0500X	Rheumatology Physician	An internist who treats diseases of joints, muscle, bones and tendons. This specialist diagnoses and treats arthritis, back pain, muscle strains, comm…
207RC0000X	Cardiovascular Disease Physician	An internist who specializes in diseases of the heart and blood vessels and manages complex cardiac conditions such as heart attacks and life-threaten…
208000000X	Pediatrics Physician	A pediatrician is concerned with the physical, emotional and social health of children from birth to young adulthood. Care encompasses a broad spectru…
341800000X	Military/U.S. Coast Guard Transport	Transportation Services · Military/U.S. Coast Guard Transport
174400000X	Specialist	An individual educated and trained in an applied knowledge discipline used in the performance of work at a level requiring knowledge and skills beyond…
101YS0200X	School Counselor	Behavioral Health & Social Service Providers · Counselor
1223P0300X	Periodontics	That specialty of dentistry which encompasses the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the supporting and surrounding tissues of the tee…
207Y00000X	Otolaryngology Physician	An otolaryngologist-head and neck surgeon provides comprehensive medical and surgical care for patients with diseases and disorders that affect the ea…

CPT 88300: Level I Surgical Pathology — Specimen Accessioning and Gross Examination

CPT-88302-SURGICAL-PATHOLOGY-LEVEL-II-GROSS-AND-MICROSCOPIC-EXAMINATION

CPT 88302: Surgical Pathology, Level II - Gross and Microscopic Examination

CPT-88304-SURGICAL-PATHOLOGY-LEVEL-III-GROSS-AND-MICROSCOPIC

CPT 88304: Surgical Pathology Level III, Gross and Microscopic Examination

CPT-88305-SURGICAL-PATHOLOGY-LEVEL-IV-EXAMINATION

CPT 88305: Surgical Pathology, Level IV Examination

CPT-88307-SURGICAL-PATHOLOGY-LEVEL-V-EXAMINATION

CPT 88307: Surgical Pathology Level V Examination

CPT-88309-LEVEL-VI-SURGICAL-PATHOLOGY-EXAMINATION

CPT 88309: Level VI Surgical Pathology Examination

CPT-88311-DECALCIFICATION-SPECIMEN-PREPARATION

CPT 88311: Decalcification of Specimen for Histologic Examination

CPT-88312-SPECIAL-STAIN-MICROORGANISMS-TECHNICAL-COMPONENT

CPT 88312: Special Stain for Microorganisms, Technical Component

CPT-88313-SPECIAL-STAIN-TECHNICAL-COMPONENT

CPT 88313: Special Stain Technical Component for Group II Identification

CPT-88314-FROZEN-TISSUE-HISTOCHEMICAL-SPECIAL-STAIN

CPT 88314: Frozen Tissue Histochemical Special Stain with Interpretation

Showing 1–10 of 47

Frequently Asked Questions

References

1.CPT® Codes and Descriptions. AAPC. Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.Maintains the CPT code set's official descriptions and guidelines, licensed from the American Medical Association, used as the definitional source for CPT codes on this page.
2.HCPCS Quarterly Update. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's quarterly release of HCPCS Level II codes and short/long descriptors, the source for HCPCS code definitions and update history.
3.ICD-10-CM Full Code List. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's complete ICD-10-CM diagnosis code list, used to cross-reference diagnosis codes associated with this procedure or service.

Published by

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

OpenPayer

CPT 88358: Morphometric Tumor Analysis for DNA Ploidy

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Billing Code Overview

OpenPayer

CPT 88358: Morphometric Tumor Analysis for DNA Ploidy

Sign up for cpt 88358 policy alerts

Billing Code Overview

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

Related Diagnoses

Related CPT Codes

Related Modifiers

Related Provider Taxonomies

Related Codes

References

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

Related Diagnoses

Related CPT Codes

Related Modifiers

Related Provider Taxonomies

Related Codes

References

CPT 88358: Morphometric Tumor Analysis for DNA Ploidy

Sign up for cpt 88358 policy alerts

Billing Code Overview

CPT 88358: Morphometric Tumor Analysis for DNA Ploidy

Sign up for cpt 88358 policy alerts

Billing Code Overview

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

Related Diagnoses

Related CPT Codes

Related Modifiers

Related Provider Taxonomies

Related Codes

What does CPT 88358 represent and where is it typically performed?

Which billing modifiers are commonly used with 88358 and when are they applied?

What related CPT codes are commonly billed with or around morphometric tumor analysis?

In which clinical scenarios is morphometric/DNA ploidy analysis commonly used?

Which payers cover CPT 88358 and does the page provide reimbursement rates?

References

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

Related Diagnoses

Related CPT Codes

Related Modifiers

Related Provider Taxonomies

Related Codes

What does CPT 88358 represent and where is it typically performed?

Which billing modifiers are commonly used with 88358 and when are they applied?

What related CPT codes are commonly billed with or around morphometric tumor analysis?

In which clinical scenarios is morphometric/DNA ploidy analysis commonly used?

Which payers cover CPT 88358 and does the page provide reimbursement rates?

References