C09: Malignant neoplasm of tonsil

C09.9: Malignant neoplasm: Tonsil, unspecified

The tissue in the body is made up of cells. With cancer, the cells multiply uncontrollably, which leads to a malignant neoplasm (abnormal growth of tissue) developing. The cancer cells can destroy the healthy tissue and spread throughout the body.

The palate is the roof of the mouth. The front of the palate consists of a bone plate, the hard palate. At the rear, the palate transitions into the soft palate. At the back of the palate, in the middle, hangs the uvula. To the side of this are the palatine arches. The tonsils are on the left and right between the palatal arches. The tonsils are part of the immune system.

Please note: This ICD code may also derive from the ICD-O system. If this is the case, there are usually additional letters and numbers in addition to the code. It starts with the letter M, followed by 4 digits and then a slash. There is another digit after the slash.

If it is an ICD-O code, then this does not describe a malignant cancer in all cases. The last digit after the slash gives you more detailed information about this: