The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) has issued full guidance to the NHS in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland on IRE for treating primary lung cancer and metastases in the lung.


Cancer that starts in the lungs is called primary lung cancer. When cancer has spread from other parts of the body to the lung the tumours are called lung metastases. Irreversible electroporation is a process that uses electrical pulses to kill cancer cells. They are applied directly to the tumour through special needles. The main difference between this procedure and thermal techniques for destroying tumours is that it does not produce extreme heat or cold.

Coding recommendations

E59.8 Other specified other operations on lung

Y12.3 Electrochemotherapy to lesion of organ NOC

Y53.- Approach to organ under image control

In addition a code from the ICD-10 category C34 Malignant neoplasm of bronchus and lung or the ICD-10 code C78.0 Secondary malignant neoplasm of lung is assigned.


Your responsibility




  • National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE)