Anatomical Regions (DW) ICD-10-PCS
The DW body system covers Radiation Therapy procedures on anatomical regions, with 318 ICD-10-PCS codes across 4 root operations, 310 of them billable in fiscal year 2026. Each root operation defines a distinct procedural objective, and the info icons show the official definition with a preview of the codes inside.
Root Operations in This Body System 4 operations · 318 codes
| Chars 1–3 | Root Operation | Codes | Billable |
|---|---|---|---|
| DW0 | Beam RadiationA type of radiation therapy that uses a machine to aim high-energy rays at the cancer from outside of the body | 98 | 96 |
| DW1 | BrachytherapyA type of radiation therapy in which radioactive material sealed in needles, seeds, wires, or catheters is placed directly into or near a tumor | 146 | 144 |
| DW2 | Stereotactic RadiosurgeryA type of external radiation therapy that uses special equipment to position the patient and precisely give a single large dose of radiation to a tumor | 26 | 24 |
| DWY | Other Radiation | 48 | 46 |
The info icon shows the official root operation definition and previews the codes in that range.
About the DW Body System
The ICD-10-PCS root operation DW - Anatomical Regions within the Radiation Therapy section encompasses procedures that deliver targeted radiation treatment to specific body areas. This operation categorizes different methods of applying radiation to treat cancer or other conditions by focusing on anatomical regions.
The procedure codes under this root operation include Beam Radiation (DW0), which directs high-energy rays from outside the body to the tumor site. Another example is Brachytherapy (DW1), where radioactive materials are placed directly into or near the tumor using needles, seeds, wires, or catheters. Additionally, Stereotactic Radiosurgery (DW2) employs specialized equipment to deliver a precise, single high dose of radiation externally, aimed with exact positioning. The Other Radiation (DWY) code accounts for alternative or specialized radiation treatments. These distinct approaches within the ICD-10-PCS DW anatomical regions operation ensure accurate coding of radiation therapy procedures based on technique and target region.
Questions About This Page
How many codes are in the DW body system?
The DW body system contains 318 ICD-10-PCS codes in FY 2026, organized into 4 root operations. 310 of them are billable on inpatient claims.
What is a root operation?
The root operation is the third character of every ICD-10-PCS code and names the objective of the procedure. Drainage takes fluid out, Excision cuts out a portion of a body part, and Resection removes all of one. Picking the right root operation is the central skill of PCS coding, so each one above carries its official CMS definition.
Related References
Source: CMS FY 2026 ICD-10-PCS order file and code tables, effective October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.
