2025 CPT code 77318
Effective Date: N/A Radiation Oncology Treatment Feed
Brachytherapy isodose plan; complex (calculation[s] made from over 10 sources, or remote afterloading brachytherapy, over 12 channels), includes basic dosimetry calculation(s).
Modifiers may be applicable to 77318. For instance, modifier 26 can be used to indicate the professional component of the service if performed separately from the technical component. Refer to current CPT guidelines for appropriate modifier usage.
Medical necessity for 77318 is established when the complexity of the brachytherapy treatment requires calculations from over 10 sources or over 12 channels. This complexity may be due to the tumor's location, size, shape, or proximity to critical organs, requiring a more intricate plan to deliver the prescribed dose while minimizing side effects.
The physician calculates and plots the distribution of radiation around the brachytherapy source, aiming to deliver the optimal dose to the tumor while protecting surrounding healthy tissues. This involves complex calculations considering the number and placement of radiation sources or channels used in the afterloading process.
In simple words: This procedure involves creating a detailed plan for internal radiation therapy (brachytherapy) using many radiation sources. The plan maps the radiation dose to ensure it reaches the cancer effectively while sparing healthy tissue. It's a complex process that uses over 10 radiation sources or over 12 channels.
This code represents complex brachytherapy isodose planning, involving calculations from more than 10 radiation sources or over 12 channels for remote afterloading. It includes basic dosimetry calculations.This procedure involves plotting radiation distribution to target the tumor while minimizing exposure to surrounding tissues. The dosimetry component ensures precise radiation dosage calculation based on the cancer type and stage.
Example 1: A patient with prostate cancer undergoes brachytherapy, and the physician creates a complex isodose plan using 12 radioactive seeds, requiring calculations from each source to ensure precise dose delivery., A patient with cervical cancer receives brachytherapy using a remote afterloading applicator with 15 channels. The physician generates a complex isodose plan, calculating dose distribution from each channel to maximize tumor coverage and minimize exposure to nearby organs., A patient with breast cancer undergoes interstitial brachytherapy with 11 catheters implanted around the tumor site. A complex isodose plan is created, calculating dose distribution from each catheter to ensure uniform radiation delivery to the target area.
Documentation should include details of the brachytherapy procedure, the number and type of sources used, the isodose plan, calculations, and the physician's rationale for the chosen treatment plan. The medical record must also support the medical necessity of the complex isodose plan.
- Specialties:Radiation Oncology
- Place of Service:Office, Outpatient Hospital, Freestanding Radiation Therapy Center.