Intraoperative Radiation Therapy for Breast Cancer Form

Intraoperative Radiation Therapy for Breast Cancer

Last review date: January 23, 2026 
Number: MG.MM.RA.16C4

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Definition Intraoperative Radiation Therapy (IORT) is a radiation treatment that is administered during surgery. It allows delivery of radiation directly to the target area for cancers that are difficult to remove during surgery or in situations in which there may be microscopic amounts of cancer remaining after removal. IORT delivers higher doses of radiation than can be used in conventional radiation therapy because the doctor can temporarily move nearby organs or shield them from radiation exposure.
IORT is often combined with conventional radiation therapy which is typically given prior to or during surgery. Guideline Single Fraction Electron-beam IORT is considered medically necessary when the following criteria are met:

1. ≥ 50 years of age with invasive cancer
2. T Stage: Tis or T1
3. Clinically node negative

4. Negative surgical margins

   Limitations/Exclusions

The use of electronic brachytherapy for IORT (e.g., Intrabeam, Xoft and Papillon systems) is considered experimental, investigational and/or unproven.

Applicable Procedure Codes 19294 Preparation of tumor cavity, with placement of a radiation therapy applicator for intraoperative radiation therapy (IORT) concurrent with partial mastectomy (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure) 77424 Intraoperative radiation treatment delivery, x-ray, single treatment session 77425 Intraoperative radiation treatment delivery, electrons, single treatment session 77469 Intraoperative radiation treatment management Applicable Diagnosis Codes C50.011 Malignant neoplasm of nipple and areola, right female breast C50.012 Malignant neoplasm of nipple and areola, left female breast C50.019 Malignant neoplasm of nipple and areola, unspecified female breast C50.021 Malignant neoplasm of nipple and areola, right male breast C50.022 Malignant neoplasm of nipple and areola, left male breast C50.029 Malignant neoplasm of nipple and areola, unspecified male breast C50.111 Malignant neoplasm of central portion of right female breast C50.112 Malignant neoplasm of central portion of left female breast C50.119 Malignant neoplasm of central portion of unspecified female breast C50.121 Malignant neoplasm of central portion of right male breast C50.122 Malignant neoplasm of central portion of left male breast C50.129 Malignant neoplasm of central portion of unspecified male breast C50.211 Malignant neoplasm of upper-inner quadrant of right female breast C50.212 Malignant neoplasm of upper-inner quadrant of right female breast C50.219 Malignant neoplasm of upper-inner quadrant of unspecified female breast C50.221 Malignant neoplasm of upper-inner quadrant of right male breast C50.222 Malignant neoplasm of upper-inner quadrant of left male breast C50.229 Malignant neoplasm of upper-inner quadrant of unspecified male breast C50.311 Malignant neoplasm of lower-inner quadrant of right female breast C50.312 Malignant neoplasm of lower-inner quadrant of left female breast C50.319 Malignant neoplasm of lower-inner quadrant of unspecified female breast C50.321 Malignant neoplasm of lower-inner quadrant of right male breast C50.322 Malignant neoplasm of lower-inner quadrant of left male breast C50.329 Malignant neoplasm of lower-inner quadrant of unspecified male breast C50.411 Malignant neoplasm of upper-outer quadrant of right female breast C50.412 Malignant neoplasm of upper-outer quadrant of left female breast

C50.419 Malignant neoplasm of upper-outer quadrant of unspecified female breast C50.421 Malignant neoplasm of upper-outer quadrant of right male breast C50.422 Malignant neoplasm of upper-outer quadrant of left male breast C50.429 Malignant neoplasm of upper-outer quadrant of unspecified male breast C50.511 Malignant neoplasm of lower-outer quadrant of right female breast C50.512 Malignant neoplasm of lower-outer quadrant of left female breast C50.519 Malignant neoplasm of lower-outer quadrant of unspecified female breast C50.521 Malignant neoplasm of lower-outer quadrant of right male breast C50.522 Malignant neoplasm of lower-outer quadrant of left male breast C50.529 Malignant neoplasm of lower-outer quadrant of unspecified male breast C50.611 Malignant neoplasm of axillary tail of right female breast C50.612 Malignant neoplasm of axillary tail of left female breast C50.619 Malignant neoplasm of axillary tail of unspecified female breast C50.621 Malignant neoplasm of axillary tail of right male breast C50.622 Malignant neoplasm of axillary tail of left male breast C50.629 Malignant neoplasm of axillary tail of unspecified male breast C50.811 Malignant neoplasm of overlapping sites of right female breast C50.812 Malignant neoplasm of overlapping sites of left female breast C50.819 Malignant neoplasm of overlapping sites of unspecified female breast C50.821 Malignant neoplasm of overlapping sites of right male breast C50.822 Malignant neoplasm of overlapping sites of left male breast C50.829 Malignant neoplasm of overlapping sites of unspecified male breast C50.911 Malignant neoplasm of unspecified site of right female breast C50.912 Malignant neoplasm of unspecified site of left female breast C50.919 Malignant neoplasm of unspecified site of unspecified female breast C50.921 Malignant neoplasm of unspecified site of right male breast C50.922 Malignant neoplasm of unspecified site of left male breast C50.929 Malignant neoplasm of unspecified site of unspecified male breast