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Official Description

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

© Copyright 2026 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

Radical resection of a tumor, specifically a soft tissue tumor of the abdominal wall measuring 5 cm or greater, is a surgical procedure aimed at completely removing malignant neoplasms, such as sarcomas, as well as potentially benign tumors or those of indeterminate nature. The term "soft tissue" encompasses various structures, including muscles, tendons, fat, blood vessels, lymph vessels, nerves, and the tissues surrounding joints. The procedure begins with the creation of a skin incision directly over the tumor or the elevation of a skin flap to access the tumor site. Following this, the surgeon meticulously dissects the overlying subcutaneous and soft tissues to expose the tumor. The radical resection entails the en bloc removal of the tumor along with a wide margin of surrounding healthy tissue to ensure complete excision. This approach is critical in cases of malignancy, as it aims to eliminate all involved soft tissue, which may include adjacent muscles, nerves, and blood vessels. To confirm that the surgical 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 all margins are confirmed to be clear of tumor cells. Post-surgery, drains may be placed as necessary, and the surgical wound can be closed in layers, or additional reconstructive procedures may be performed as needed. For tumors measuring less than 5 cm, the appropriate code to use is 22904, while 22905 is designated for tumors that are 5 cm or greater.

© Copyright 2026 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

The radical resection of a soft tissue tumor of the abdominal wall, as described by CPT® Code 22905, is indicated for the following conditions:

  • Malignant Neoplasms The procedure is primarily performed for malignant tumors, such as sarcomas, which require complete removal to prevent further spread and to ensure comprehensive treatment.
  • Benign Tumors In certain cases, benign tumors that pose a risk of complications or have uncertain characteristics may also necessitate radical resection.
  • Indeterminate Tumors Tumors that cannot be definitively classified as benign or malignant may require radical resection to ascertain their nature and to ensure patient safety.

2. Procedure

The procedure for radical resection of a soft tissue tumor of 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 access to the underlying tissues.
  • Step 2: Dissection The surgeon carefully dissects the overlying subcutaneous and soft tissues to expose the tumor. This step is crucial for visualizing the tumor and surrounding structures.
  • Step 3: Tumor Removal The tumor is excised en bloc, meaning it is removed in one piece along with a wide margin of surrounding healthy tissue. This ensures that all potentially affected areas are included in the resection.
  • 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 found to be positive for malignancy, additional tissue will be excised until all margins are confirmed to be free of tumor cells.
  • Step 5: Drain Placement After the tumor has been removed, drains may be placed as needed to prevent fluid accumulation in the surgical site.
  • Step 6: Wound Closure The surgical wound may be closed in layers, ensuring proper healing, or additional reconstructive procedures may be performed if necessary.

3. Post-Procedure

Post-procedure care following a radical resection of a soft tissue tumor of the abdominal wall includes monitoring for complications, managing pain, and ensuring proper wound healing. Patients may require follow-up visits to assess the surgical site and to evaluate for any signs of recurrence or complications. The placement of drains, if utilized, will be monitored and managed appropriately. Recovery time may vary based on the extent of the surgery and the patient's overall health, and specific instructions regarding activity restrictions and wound care will be provided to ensure optimal recovery.

Short Descr RAD RESECT ABD TUMOR 5 CM/>
Medium Descr RAD RESECTION TUMOR SOFT TISSUE ABDL WALL 5 CM/>
Long Descr Radical resection of tumor (eg, sarcoma), soft tissue of abdominal wall; 5 cm or greater
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).
52 Reduced services: under certain circumstances a service or procedure is partially reduced or eliminated at the discretion of the physician or other qualified health care professional. under these circumstances the service provided can be identified by its usual procedure number and the addition of modifier 52, signifying that the service is reduced. this provides a means of reporting reduced services without disturbing the identification of the basic service. note: for hospital outpatient reporting of a previously scheduled procedure/service that is partially reduced or cancelled as a result of extenuating circumstances or those that threaten the well-being of the patient prior to or after administration of anesthesia, see modifiers 73 and 74 (see modifiers approved for asc hospital outpatient use).
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.
76 Repeat procedure or service by same physician or other qualified health care professional: it may be necessary to indicate that a procedure or service was repeated by the same physician or other qualified health care professional subsequent to the original procedure or service. this circumstance may be reported by adding modifier 76 to the repeated procedure or service. note: this modifier should not be appended to an e/m service.
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
CC Procedure code change (use 'cc' when the procedure code submitted was changed either for administrative reasons or because an incorrect code was filed)
GC This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician
LT Left side (used to identify procedures performed on the left side of the body)
Q1 Routine clinical service provided in a clinical research study that is in an approved clinical research study
Q6 Service furnished under a fee-for-time compensation arrangement by a substitute physician or by a substitute physical therapist furnishing outpatient physical therapy services in a health professional shortage area, a medically underserved area, or a rural area
SG Ambulatory surgical center (asc) facility service
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
2011-01-01 Changed Short description changed.
2010-01-01 Added -
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