CPT for tumor resection of bladder by cystoscopy

Should a 0.2-cm tumor resection of the bladder per-formed through cystoscopy be reported with code 52224, Cystourethroscopy, with fulguration (including cryosurgery or laser surgery) or treatment of MINOR (less than 0.5 cm) lesion(s) with or without biopsy, or 52234, Cystourethroscopy, with fulguration (including cryosurgery or laser surgery) and/or resection of; SMALL bladder tumor(s) (0.5 up to 2.0 cm)? Should the resection of a 1.0-cm lesion be reported with code 52224 or 52234? Please explain the difference between lesion and tumor with respect to these codes.

Answer: 
Bladder tumors are reported by size. Lesion or tumor terminology is a matter of semantics because the terms are used interchangeably. CPT code 52224 is report- ed for lesions smaller than 0.5 cm. CPT code 52234 is reported for lesions from 0.5 cm to 2.0 cm. Therefore, CPT code 52224 should be reported for the 0.2-cm tumor resection of the bladder performed through cystoscopy and CPT code 52234 should be reported for the 1.0 cm lesion resection performed through cystoscopy.

CPT® Assistant December 2007 / Volume 17 Issue 12