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Official Description

Radical resection of tumor (eg, sarcoma), soft tissue of abdominal wall; less than 5 cm

© Copyright 2026 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

Radical resection of a tumor in the soft tissue of the abdominal wall, as described by CPT® Code 22904, involves the surgical removal of a tumor that is less than 5 cm in size. Soft tissues encompass various structures, including muscles, tendons, fat, blood vessels, lymph vessels, nerves, and the tissues surrounding joints. Tumors found in these soft tissues can be either benign or malignant, with radical resection primarily indicated for malignant neoplasms, such as sarcomas. However, there are instances where benign tumors or those of indeterminate nature may also necessitate a radical approach to ensure complete removal. The procedure typically begins with a skin incision made directly over the tumor or the creation of a skin flap that is then elevated. This allows for the dissection of the overlying subcutaneous and soft tissues to expose the tumor adequately. The surgical goal is to excise the tumor en bloc, which means removing it along with a wide margin of surrounding healthy tissue to ensure that no cancerous cells remain. This comprehensive approach may involve the excision of adjacent muscles, nerves, and blood vessels if they are involved with the tumor. To confirm that all margins are free of tumor cells, a separately reportable frozen section may be performed during the procedure. If any margins are found to contain malignancy, additional tissue will be excised until clear margins are achieved. Post-surgery, drains may be placed as necessary, and the surgical wound can be closed in layers, or additional reconstructive procedures may be performed if required. For tumors measuring 5 cm or greater, CPT® Code 22905 should be utilized instead of 22904.

© Copyright 2026 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

Radical resection of a tumor in the soft tissue of the abdominal wall is indicated for the following conditions:

  • Malignant Neoplasm The primary indication for this procedure is the presence of a malignant tumor, such as a sarcoma, which requires complete removal to prevent further spread of cancer.
  • Benign Tumors In some cases, benign tumors that pose a risk of complications or have uncertain characteristics may also necessitate radical resection.
  • Indeterminate Tumors Tumors of indeterminate nature, where the potential for malignancy is unclear, may require radical resection to ensure comprehensive evaluation and treatment.

2. Procedure

The procedure for radical resection of a soft tissue tumor in the abdominal wall involves several critical steps:

  • Step 1: Incision A skin incision is made directly over the tumor site on the abdominal wall. Alternatively, a skin flap may be created and elevated to provide better access to the underlying tissues.
  • Step 2: Dissection The surgeon carefully dissects the overlying subcutaneous and soft tissues to expose the tumor fully. This step is crucial for visualizing the tumor and assessing its relationship with surrounding structures.
  • Step 3: Tumor Removal The tumor is excised en bloc, meaning it is removed along with a wide margin of healthy surrounding tissue. This ensures that all potentially cancerous cells are eliminated from the surgical site.
  • Step 4: Margin Assessment A frozen section may be performed to evaluate the surgical margins for the presence of tumor cells. If any margins are positive for malignancy, additional tissue is removed until clear margins are confirmed.
  • Step 5: Drain Placement Depending on the extent of the surgery and the amount of fluid expected post-operatively, drains may be placed to prevent fluid accumulation in the surgical area.
  • Step 6: Wound Closure The surgical wound is typically closed in layers to promote optimal healing. If necessary, separately reportable reconstructive procedures may be performed to restore the integrity of the abdominal wall.

3. Post-Procedure

After the radical resection procedure, patients may require monitoring for complications such as infection or fluid accumulation. The expected recovery period will vary based on the extent of the surgery and the patient's overall health. Patients may be advised on wound care and activity restrictions to facilitate healing. Follow-up appointments will be necessary to assess recovery and to discuss any further treatment options, especially if the tumor was malignant. Additionally, the placement of drains may require specific care instructions to ensure proper function and to prevent complications.

Short Descr RADICAL RESECT ABD TUMOR<5CM
Medium Descr RAD RESECTION TUMOR SOFT TISSUE ABDL WALL <5CM
Long Descr Radical resection of tumor (eg, sarcoma), soft tissue of abdominal wall; less than 5 cm
Status Code Active Code
Global Days 090 - Major Surgery
PC/TC Indicator (26, TC) 0 - Physician Service Code
Multiple Procedures (51) 2 - Standard payment adjustment rules for multiple procedures apply.
Bilateral Surgery (50) 0 - 150% payment adjustment for bilateral procedures does NOT apply.
Physician Supervisions 09 - Concept does not apply.
Assistant Surgeon (80, 82) 2 - Payment restriction for assistants at surgery does not apply to this procedure...
Co-Surgeons (62) 1 - Co-surgeons could be paid, though supporting documentation is required...
Team Surgery (66) 1 - Team surgeons could be paid, though...
Diagnostic Imaging Family 99 - Concept Does Not Apply
APC Status Indicator Hospital Part B services paid through a comprehensive APC
ASC Payment Indicator Non office-based surgical procedure added in CY 2008 or later; payment based on OPPS relative payment weight.
Type of Service (TOS) 2 - Surgery
Berenson-Eggers TOS (BETOS) P5E - Ambulatory procedures - other
MUE 1
CCS Clinical Classification 160 - Other therapeutic procedures on muscles and tendons
22 Increased procedural services: when the work required to provide a service is substantially greater than typically required, it may be identified by adding modifier 22 to the usual procedure code. documentation must support the substantial additional work and the reason for the additional work (ie, increased intensity, time, technical difficulty of procedure, severity of patient's condition, physical and mental effort required). note: this modifier should not be appended to an e/m service.
51 Multiple procedures: when multiple procedures, other than e/m services, physical medicine and rehabilitation services or provision of supplies (eg, vaccines), are performed at the same session by the same individual, the primary procedure or service may be reported as listed. the additional procedure(s) or service(s) may be identified by appending modifier 51 to the additional procedure or service code(s). note: this modifier should not be appended to designated "add-on" codes (see appendix d).
58 Staged or related procedure or service by the same physician or other qualified health care professional during the postoperative period: it may be necessary to indicate that the performance of a procedure or service during the postoperative period was: (a) planned or anticipated (staged); (b) more extensive than the original procedure; or (c) for therapy following a surgical procedure. this circumstance may be reported by adding modifier 58 to the staged or related procedure. note: for treatment of a problem that requires a return to the operating/procedure room (eg, unanticipated clinical condition), see modifier 78.
59 Distinct procedural service: under certain circumstances, it may be necessary to indicate that a procedure or service was distinct or independent from other non-e/m services performed on the same day. modifier 59 is used to identify procedures/services, other than e/m services, that are not normally reported together, but are appropriate under the circumstances. documentation must support a different session, different procedure or surgery, different site or organ system, separate incision/excision, separate lesion, or separate injury (or area of injury in extensive injuries) not ordinarily encountered or performed on the same day by the same individual. however, when another already established modifier is appropriate it should be used rather than modifier 59. only if no more descriptive modifier is available, and the use of modifier 59 best explains the circumstances, should modifier 59 be used. note: modifier 59 should not be appended to an e/m service. to report a separate and distinct e/m service with a non-e/m service performed on the same date, see modifier 25.
62 Two surgeons: when 2 surgeons work together as primary surgeons performing distinct part(s) of a procedure, each surgeon should report his/her distinct operative work by adding modifier 62 to the procedure code and any associated add-on code(s) for that procedure as long as both surgeons continue to work together as primary surgeons. each surgeon should report the co-surgery once using the same procedure code. if additional procedure(s) (including add-on procedure(s) are performed during the same surgical session, separate code(s) may also be reported with modifier 62 added. note: if a co-surgeon acts as an assistant in the performance of additional procedure(s), other than those reported with the modifier 62, during the same surgical session, those services may be reported using separate procedure code(s) with modifier 80 or modifier 82 added, as appropriate.
78 Unplanned return to the operating/procedure room by the same physician or other qualified health care professional following initial procedure for a related procedure during the postoperative period: it may be necessary to indicate that another procedure was performed during the postoperative period of the initial procedure (unplanned procedure following initial procedure). when this procedure is related to the first, and requires the use of an operating/procedure room, it may be reported by adding modifier 78 to the related procedure. (for repeat procedures, see modifier 76.)
79 Unrelated procedure or service by the same physician or other qualified health care professional during the postoperative period: the individual may need to indicate that the performance of a procedure or service during the postoperative period was unrelated to the original procedure. this circumstance may be reported by using modifier 79. (for repeat procedures on the same day, see modifier 76.)
80 Assistant surgeon: surgical assistant services may be identified by adding modifier 80 to the usual procedure number(s).
82 Assistant surgeon (when qualified resident surgeon not available): the unavailability of a qualified resident surgeon is a prerequisite for use of modifier 82 appended to the usual procedure code number(s).
AS Physician assistant, nurse practitioner, or clinical nurse specialist services for assistant at surgery
GC This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician
XS Separate structure, a service that is distinct because it was performed on a separate organ/structure
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2014-01-01 Changed Description Changed
2010-01-01 Added -
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