CPT® Code 77600

Hyperthermia, as defined by CPT® Code 77600, refers to a medical procedure that involves the externally generated elevation of temperature in a targeted area, specifically to a depth of 4 centimeters or less. This technique is primarily utilized to treat superficial or subcutaneous tumor cells while minimizing damage to the surrounding healthy tissue. The procedure is based on the principle that tumor cells exhibit heightened sensitivity to increased temperatures compared to normal cells. By raising the temperature of these malignant cells, hyperthermia can enhance the therapeutic effects of concurrent treatments such as radiation and chemotherapy. Additionally, the procedure may stimulate the immune system's components, which play a crucial role in the destruction of abnormal cells. The heat required for this treatment can be generated through various methods, including microwave, radiofrequency, or ultrasound, and is applied to a precisely defined area using specialized applicators. Typically, hyperthermia therapy is administered 1 to 2 times per week, culminating in a total of 10 to 12 treatment sessions. Following each session, tumor cells may develop thermotolerance within 8 to 12 hours, with the temperature gradually returning to normal levels over the course of 2 to 4 days. The code 77600 encompasses not only the hyperthermia treatment itself but also the management of the treatment course, the physics planning involved, the insertion of temperature sensors, and the utilization of heat-generating sources.