CPT 21601

Last reviewed: July 9, 2026

Excision of chest wall tumor including ribs

Work RVU17.34
Total RVU33.28
Global90

Soft Tissue Tumor Classification

  • Body region: Chest wall
  • Depth: chest wall including ribs
  • Size category: not size-based
  • Procedure type: chest wall tumor excision
  • Laterality: Not applicable

ClaimIQ Checks

  • Descriptor, size threshold, depth classification, and body region are locked to the musculoskeletal soft tissue tumor source table.
  • Assistant-at-surgery allowed: yes.
  • Co-surgery eligible: yes.
  • Multiple-procedure indicator: 2; Case Builder ranks this family through the MPPR engine.

Common Modifiers

None typically required

Documentation and Coding Notes

Document the exact anatomic site, tumor size, depth relative to fascia or muscle, whether the operation was simple excision versus radical resection, and laterality when applicable.

For multi-procedure cases, use our Case Builder to calculate adjusted wRVUs with MPPR ranking.

Related Soft Tissue Tumor Codes

CPT 21602 — Excision of chest wall tumor involving ribs, with plastic reconstruction; without mediastinal lymphadenectomy CPT 21603 — Excision of chest wall tumor involving ribs, with plastic reconstruction; with mediastinal lymphadenectomy