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Official Description

Cystourethroscopy, with fulguration (including cryosurgery or laser surgery) and/or resection of; MEDIUM bladder tumor(s) (2.0 to 5.0 cm)

© Copyright 2026 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

Cystourethroscopy is a medical procedure that allows healthcare professionals to visualize the interior of the bladder and urethra. This is achieved by inserting a cystoscope, which can be either rigid or flexible, through the urethra into the bladder. The procedure is particularly important for diagnosing and treating bladder tumors. During cystourethroscopy, the urethral orifice is first cleansed with an antiseptic solution to minimize the risk of infection. To enhance visibility, the bladder may be filled with sterile saline, which helps to expand the bladder wall and provides a clearer view of any abnormalities. Once the bladder is adequately prepared, the healthcare provider inspects the bladder and identifies the ureteral orifices for examination. When bladder tumors are detected, they can be treated using various methods, including fulguration, which involves the application of a high-frequency electrical current to destroy the tumors. An electrocautery device is advanced through the cystoscope to the tumor site, where it is activated to eliminate the tumor tissue. Alternatively, other techniques such as laser surgery or cryosurgery may be employed to achieve the same result. After the tumors are treated, the bladder is re-examined to confirm that all tumor tissue has been successfully destroyed. The cystoscope is then carefully removed from the urethra. This procedure is categorized based on the size of the tumors being treated, with specific codes assigned for small, medium, and large tumors, ensuring accurate documentation and billing for the services rendered.

© Copyright 2026 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

The procedure of cystourethroscopy with fulguration, resection, or destruction of bladder tumors is indicated for the following conditions:

  • Bladder Tumors: The primary indication for this procedure is the presence of medium bladder tumors, specifically those measuring between 2.0 to 5.0 cm in greatest diameter.
  • Diagnostic Evaluation: Cystourethroscopy is also performed for diagnostic purposes to visualize and assess abnormalities within the bladder and urethra.
  • Symptomatic Relief: Patients experiencing symptoms such as hematuria (blood in urine), urinary obstruction, or recurrent urinary tract infections may require this procedure to identify and treat underlying issues.

2. Procedure

The cystourethroscopy procedure involves several key steps to ensure effective treatment of bladder tumors:

  • Preparation: The procedure begins with the cleansing of the urethral orifice using an antiseptic solution to reduce the risk of infection. This step is crucial for maintaining a sterile environment during the procedure.
  • Insertion of Cystoscope: A rigid or flexible cystoscope is then introduced through the urethra into the bladder. The choice of cystoscope depends on the specific clinical scenario and the preference of the healthcare provider.
  • Bladder Filling: To enhance visualization, the bladder may be filled with sterile saline. This distension allows for a clearer view of the bladder wall and any potential tumors.
  • Inspection: The healthcare provider inspects the bladder thoroughly, identifying the ureteral orifices and examining the bladder wall for any abnormalities, including tumors.
  • Destruction of Tumors: Upon locating the bladder tumors, an electrocautery device is advanced through the cystoscope to the tumor site. The device is activated to destroy the tumors using high-frequency electrical current. Alternatively, a laser or cryoprobe may be utilized for tumor destruction.
  • Resection (if necessary): If resection of the tumors is indicated, the cystoscope is removed, and a resectoscope is advanced to the tumor site. The tumors are then resected, and the tumor tissue is removed using irrigation and a cystoscopic evacuation device. This process is repeated until all tumor tissue has been successfully excised.
  • Control of Bleeding: Throughout the procedure, any bleeding that occurs is managed using electrocoagulation or laser coagulation techniques to ensure patient safety and minimize complications.
  • Final Inspection: After the tumors have been treated, the bladder is re-inspected to confirm that all tumor tissue has been destroyed or removed before the cystoscope is finally withdrawn.

3. Post-Procedure

After the cystourethroscopy procedure, patients may experience some discomfort, which is typically managed with analgesics. It is important for patients to follow any specific post-procedure care instructions provided by their healthcare provider. Monitoring for any signs of complications, such as excessive bleeding or infection, is essential. Patients may also be advised to increase fluid intake to help flush the bladder and reduce the risk of urinary tract infections. Follow-up appointments may be scheduled to assess recovery and discuss any further treatment options if necessary.

Short Descr CYSTOSCOPY AND TREATMENT
Medium Descr CYSTOURETHROSCOPY W/DEST &/RMVL MED BLADDER TUM
Long Descr Cystourethroscopy, with fulguration (including cryosurgery or laser surgery) and/or resection of; MEDIUM bladder tumor(s) (2.0 to 5.0 cm)
Status Code Active Code
Global Days 000 - Endoscopic or Minor Procedure
PC/TC Indicator (26, TC) 0 - Physician Service Code
Multiple Procedures (51) 3 - Special payment adjustment rules for multiple endoscopic 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.
Endoscopic Base Code 52000  Cystourethroscopy (separate procedure)
Diagnostic Imaging Family 99 - Concept Does Not Apply
APC Status Indicator Hospital Part B services paid through a comprehensive APC
ASC Payment Indicator Surgical procedure on ASC list in CY 2007; payment based on OPPS relative payment weight.
Type of Service (TOS) 2 - Surgery
Berenson-Eggers TOS (BETOS) P8E - Endoscopy - cystoscopy
MUE 1
CCS Clinical Classification 101 - Transurethral excision, drainage, or removal urinary obstruction
GC This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician
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).
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.
SG Ambulatory surgical center (asc) facility service
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.
XS Separate structure, a service that is distinct because it was performed on a separate organ/structure
CR Catastrophe/disaster related
Q1 Routine clinical service provided in a clinical research study that is in an approved clinical research study
26 Professional component: certain procedures are a combination of a physician or other qualified health care professional component and a technical component. when the physician or other qualified health care professional component is reported separately, the service may be identified by adding modifier 26 to the usual procedure number.
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).
53 Discontinued procedure: under certain circumstances, the physician or other qualified health care professional may elect to terminate a surgical or diagnostic procedure. due to extenuating circumstances or those that threaten the well being of the patient, it may be necessary to indicate that a surgical or diagnostic procedure was started but discontinued. this circumstance may be reported by adding modifier 53 to the code reported by the individual for the discontinued procedure. note: this modifier is not used to report the elective cancellation of a procedure prior to the patient's anesthesia induction and/or surgical preparation in the operating suite. for outpatient hospital/ambulatory surgery center (asc) 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.
74 Discontinued out-patient hospital/ambulatory surgery center (asc) procedure after administration of anesthesia: due to extenuating circumstances or those that threaten the well being of the patient, the physician may terminate a surgical or diagnostic procedure after the administration of anesthesia (local, regional block(s), general) or after the procedure was started (incision made, intubation started, scope inserted, etc). under these circumstances, the procedure started but terminated can be reported by its usual procedure number and the addition of modifier 74. note: the elective cancellation of a service prior to the administration of anesthesia and/or surgical preparation of the patient should not be reported. for physician reporting of a discontinued procedure, see modifier 53.
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).
AG Primary physician
AQ Physician providing a service in an unlisted health professional shortage area (hpsa)
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)
GA Waiver of liability statement issued as required by payer policy, individual case
GV Attending physician not employed or paid under arrangement by the patient's hospice provider
GW Service not related to the hospice patient's terminal condition
LT Left side (used to identify procedures performed on the left side of the body)
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
RT Right side (used to identify procedures performed on the right side of the body)
TC Technical component; under certain circumstances, a charge may be made for the technical component alone; under those circumstances the technical component charge is identified by adding modifier 'tc' to the usual procedure number; technical component charges are institutional charges and not billed separately by physicians; however, portable x-ray suppliers only bill for technical component and should utilize modifier tc; the charge data from portable x-ray suppliers will then be used to build customary and prevailing profiles
X4 Episodic/focused services: for reporting services by clinicians who provide focused care on particular types of treatment limited to a defined period and circumstance; the patient has a problem, acute or chronic, that will be treated with surgery, radiation, or some other type of generally time-limited intervention; reporting clinician service examples include but are not limited to, the orthopedic surgeon performing a knee replacement and seeing the patient through the postoperative period
XE Separate encounter, a service that is distinct because it occurred during a separate encounter
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
2013-01-01 Changed Medium Descriptor changed.
2011-01-01 Changed Medium description changed.
Pre-1990 Added Code added.
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