2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code C09Malignant neoplasm of tonsil
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
Code Classification
Specific Coding for Malignant neoplasm of tonsilOverview
Non-specific codes like C09 require more characters. Use one of these billable codes instead:
Tabular List NotesGuidance
Coding notes and annotation back-references applicable to this code.
Use Additional Code
- 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
Type 2 Excludes
The “use additional code” indicates that a secondary code could be used to further specify the patient’s condition. This note is not mandatory and is only used if enough information is available to assign an additional code.
A type 2 excludes note represents "Not included here". An excludes2 note indicates that the condition excluded is not part of the condition represented by the code, but a patient may have both conditions at the same time. When an Excludes2 note appears under a code, it is acceptable to use both the code and the excluded code together, when appropriate.
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.
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Code HistoryHistory
Questions About C09Overview
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.
