2027 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code C09Malignant neoplasm of tonsil

ICD-10-CM Codes›C00–D49›C00-C14›C09

ICD-10-CM C09
CMSSource: CMS FY 2027 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2026 – Sep 30, 2027

C09 is a non-billable ICD-10-CM category code for malignant neoplasm of tonsil, so it cannot be submitted on claims. Use a more specific code from this category instead, such as C09.0, C09.1, C09.8, and C09.9.

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
C09
Billable Status
No — Non-Billable Category
Code Describes
Malignant neoplasm of tonsil
Short Description
Malignant neoplasm of tonsil
Same as the full description in the CMS dataset.
Chapter
C00-C14
Malignant neoplasms of lip, oral cavity and pharynx

Code Classification

ChapterC00–D49Neoplasms
SectionC00-C14Malignant neoplasms of lip, oral cavity and pharynx
CategoryC09Malignant neoplasm of tonsil
This CodeC09Malignant neoplasm of tonsil

Specific Coding for Malignant neoplasm of tonsilOverview

Non-specific codes like C09 require more characters. Use one of these billable codes instead:

  • Use C09.0 for Malignant neoplasm of tonsillar fossa

  • Use C09.1 for Malignant neoplasm of tonsillar pillar (anterior) (posterior)

  • Use C09.8 for Malignant neoplasm of overlapping sites of tonsil

  • Use C09.9 for Malignant neoplasm of tonsil, unspecified

Instructional NotesGuidance

Instructions from the official ICD-10-CM Tabular List that apply to C09: its own notes plus those printed at Chapter 2. A note printed at a category, block or chapter applies to every code under it.

Excludes2

Not included here: the excluded condition is not part of this code, but a patient may have both, so both codes may be reported.

  • malignant neoplasm of lingual tonsil (C02.4)
  • malignant neoplasm of pharyngeal tonsil (C11.1)

Use Additional Code

Add a second code, after this one, to fully describe the condition.

  • code to identify:
  • alcohol abuse and dependence (F10.-)
  • exposure to environmental tobacco smoke (Z77.22)
  • exposure to tobacco smoke in the perinatal period (P96.81)
  • history of tobacco dependence (Z87.891)
  • occupational exposure to environmental tobacco smoke (Z57.31)
  • tobacco dependence (F17.-)
  • tobacco use (Z72.0)

Notes

General instructions on how these codes are used.

From Chapter 2 (C00-D49) Neoplasms applies to 1,730 codes
  • Functional activity
  • All neoplasms are classified in this chapter, whether they are functionally active or not. An additional code from Chapter 4 may be used, to identify functional activity associated with any neoplasm.
  • Morphology [Histology]
  • Chapter 2 classifies neoplasms primarily by site (topography), with broad groupings for behavior, malignant, in situ, benign, etc. The Table of Neoplasms should be used to identify the correct topography code. In a few cases, such as for malignant melanoma and certain neuroendocrine tumors, the morphology (histologic type) is included in the category and codes.
  • Primary malignant neoplasms overlapping site boundaries
  • A primary malignant neoplasm that overlaps two or more contiguous (next to each other) sites should be classified to the subcategory/code .8 ('overlapping lesion'), unless the combination is specifically indexed elsewhere. For multiple neoplasms of the same site that are not contiguous, such as tumors in different quadrants of the same breast, codes for each site should be assigned.
  • Malignant neoplasm of ectopic tissue
  • Malignant neoplasms of ectopic tissue are to be coded to the site mentioned, e.g., ectopic pancreatic malignant neoplasms are coded to pancreas, unspecified (C25.9).

Source: CMS ICD-10-CM Tabular List. How to read instructional notes.

Referenced in Other NotesGuidance

Instructional notes printed at other codes that name C09, its category, or a range that includes it.

Applicable To 3

These notes mention C09.

  • Z80.8 Family history of malignant neoplasm of other organs or systems
    Conditions classifiable to C00-C14, C40-C49, C69-C79 names C00-C14, which includes this code
  • Z85.8 Personal history of malignant neoplasms of other organs and systems
    Conditions classifiable to C00-C14, C40-C49, C69-C75, C7A.098, C76-C79 names C00-C14, which includes this code
  • Z85.81 Personal history of malignant neoplasm of lip, oral cavity, and pharynx
    Conditions classifiable to C00-C14 names C00-C14, which includes this code

Excludes2 1

These codes carry an Excludes2 note naming C09: its condition is not part of those codes, and both may be reported when the patient has both.

  • C10 Malignant neoplasm of oropharynx
    malignant neoplasm of tonsil (C09.-)

Clinical InformationClinical

  • Malignant Tonsillar Neoplasm

    a primary or metastatic malignant neoplasm that affects the tonsil.

Patient EducationClinical

Throat Cancer

Throat cancer is a type of head and neck cancer. Throat cancer has different names, depending on which part of the throat is affected. The different parts of your throat are called the oropharynx, the hypopharynx, the nasopharynx, and the larynx, or voice box.

Read the full article at MedlinePlus

Courtesy of MedlinePlus, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.

Code HistoryHistory

FY 2016AddedAdded to the ICD-10-CM code setEffective October 1, 2015, the first year of ICD-10-CM.
FY 2017–2026No changes
FY 2027CurrentCurrent code set, no changesEffective October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.

Questions About C09Overview

What is the ICD-10 code for malignant neoplasm of tonsil?

C09 is the ICD-10-CM category for malignant neoplasm of tonsil, but it is a non-billable header: claims need a more specific code from this category, listed on this page.

Is C09 (Malignant neoplasm of tonsil) a billable code?

No. This is a category header that groups the codes for malignant neoplasm of tonsil, and headers cannot be submitted on claims. Claims for malignant neoplasm of tonsil need a more specific code from this category, such as C09.0, C09.1, and C09.8.

Does C09 need an additional code?

When the condition applies, yes. The Use Additional Code note reads: code to identify: alcohol abuse and dependence (F10.-); exposure to environmental tobacco smoke (Z77.22); exposure to tobacco smoke in the perinatal period (P96.81); history of tobacco dependence (Z87.891); occupational exposure to environmental tobacco smoke (Z57.31); and 2 more listed in the Instructional Notes section. The additional code is reported after C09.