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Official Description

Destruction of lesion(s), penis (eg, condyloma, papilloma, molluscum contagiosum, herpetic vesicle), simple; cryosurgery

© Copyright 2026 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

The CPT® Code 54056 refers to the procedure of destruction of lesions on the penis, specifically utilizing cryosurgery as the method of treatment. This procedure is indicated for various types of lesions, including condyloma, papilloma, molluscum contagiosum, and herpetic vesicles. During the procedure, the physician evaluates the lesion to determine the most suitable destruction technique. Cryosurgery involves the application of extreme cold, typically using liquid nitrogen, to freeze the lesion, which leads to its destruction. This method may require multiple freeze-thaw cycles to ensure complete eradication of the lesion. Local anesthesia may be administered to minimize discomfort during the procedure. The use of cryosurgery is one of several techniques available for lesion destruction, with alternatives including chemical destruction, electrodessication, laser surgery, and surgical excision, each tailored to the specific characteristics of the lesion being treated.

© Copyright 2026 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

The procedure described by CPT® Code 54056 is indicated for the treatment of various lesions on the penis. These include:

  • Condyloma - A type of wart caused by human papillomavirus (HPV) that can appear on the genital area.
  • Papilloma - Benign tumors that can occur on the skin or mucous membranes, often appearing as small, wart-like growths.
  • Molluscum contagiosum - A viral infection that results in raised, pearl-like lesions on the skin.
  • Herpetic vesicle - Fluid-filled blisters that occur due to the herpes simplex virus, often in the genital area.

2. Procedure

The procedure for CPT® Code 54056 involves several key steps to ensure effective treatment of the lesions:

  • Step 1: Evaluation of the Lesion - The physician begins by examining the lesion(s) on the penis to assess their type and extent. This evaluation is crucial for determining the most appropriate method of destruction.
  • Step 2: Administration of Local Anesthesia - If necessary, local anesthesia is administered to minimize discomfort during the procedure. This step is important to ensure patient comfort while the physician performs the lesion destruction.
  • Step 3: Application of Cryosurgery - The physician applies liquid nitrogen to the lesion(s) using a cryosurgical device. This application involves freezing the lesion, which leads to cellular destruction. The freezing process may require multiple cycles of freezing and thawing to achieve complete lesion eradication.
  • Step 4: Monitoring and Follow-Up - After the cryosurgery is completed, the physician monitors the area for any immediate reactions. Follow-up care may be necessary to assess healing and ensure that the lesion has been effectively destroyed.

3. Post-Procedure

Post-procedure care for patients undergoing cryosurgery for lesion destruction includes monitoring the treated area for signs of healing and any potential complications. Patients may experience some swelling, redness, or discomfort in the treated area, which is typically temporary. It is important for patients to follow any specific aftercare instructions provided by the physician, which may include keeping the area clean and dry, avoiding sexual activity for a specified period, and attending follow-up appointments to evaluate the treatment's effectiveness. In some cases, additional treatments may be required if the lesions do not respond adequately to the initial cryosurgery.

Short Descr CRYOSURGERY PENIS LESION(S)
Medium Descr DSTRJ LESION PENIS SIMPLE CRYOSURGERY
Long Descr Destruction of lesion(s), penis (eg, condyloma, papilloma, molluscum contagiosum, herpetic vesicle), simple; cryosurgery
Status Code Active Code
Global Days 010 - Minor Procedure
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) 1 - Statutory payment restriction for assistants at surgery applies to this procedure...
Co-Surgeons (62) 0 - Co-surgeons not permitted for this procedure.
Team Surgery (66) 0 - Team surgeons not permitted for this procedure.
Diagnostic Imaging Family 99 - Concept Does Not Apply
APC Status Indicator STV-Packaged Codes
ASC Payment Indicator Packaged service/item; no separate payment made.
Type of Service (TOS) 2 - Surgery
Berenson-Eggers TOS (BETOS) P6C - Minor procedures - other (Medicare fee schedule)
MUE 1
CCS Clinical Classification 117 - Other non-OR therapeutic procedures, male genital
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.
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).
XS Separate structure, a service that is distinct because it was performed on a separate organ/structure
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.
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.)
AG Primary physician
CC Procedure code change (use 'cc' when the procedure code submitted was changed either for administrative reasons or because an incorrect code was filed)
CG Policy criteria applied
CR Catastrophe/disaster related
GA Waiver of liability statement issued as required by payer policy, individual case
GC This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician
GZ Item or service expected to be denied as not reasonable and necessary
KX Requirements specified in the medical policy have been met
PO Excepted service provided at an off-campus, outpatient, provider-based department of a hospital
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
SA Nurse practitioner rendering service in collaboration with a physician
X3 Episodic/broad services: for reporting services by clinicians who have broad responsibility for the comprehensive needs of the patient that is limited to a defined period and circumstance such as a hospitalization; reporting clinician service examples include but are not limited to the hospitalist's services rendered providing comprehensive and general care to a patient while admitted to the hospital
XU Unusual non-overlapping service, the use of a service that is distinct because it does not overlap usual components of the main service
Date
Action
Notes
2011-01-01 Changed Short description changed.
Pre-1990 Added Code added.
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