CPT® Code 88120

Cytopathology, in situ hybridization (eg, FISH), urinary tract specimen with morphometric analysis, 3-5 molecular probes, each specimen; manual

The CPT® Code 88120 refers to a specific cytopathology procedure that utilizes in situ hybridization techniques, such as fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), to analyze urinary tract specimens. This procedure is particularly focused on identifying abnormal cells that may indicate the presence of urinary tract cancer. The specimens typically analyzed include urine samples or bladder irrigation specimens, which contain exfoliated urothelial cells. The in situ hybridization technique involves the application of multiple DNA probes—ranging from three to five—that are designed to detect genetic alterations associated with cancerous changes in the urinary tract. Each DNA probe is labeled with a fluorescent dye, allowing for visualization under a fluorescent microscope. When the probes bind to their complementary DNA sequences within the cell nuclei, they highlight specific chromosomes that may exhibit changes indicative of malignancy. The resulting fluorescence observed under the microscope serves as a critical indicator of chromosomal abnormalities, aiding in the diagnosis of urothelial cancer. It is important to note that this code is applicable for manual testing; if computer-assisted technology is employed for the evaluation of the specimen, the appropriate code to use would be 88121. Each specimen tested, whether manually or with computer assistance, should be reported using the corresponding codes to ensure accurate documentation and billing.