C11: Malignant neoplasm of nasopharynx

C11.1: Malignant neoplasm: Posterior wall of nasopharynx

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 throat or pharynx is behind the oral cavity and the nasal cavity. It connects the mouth and nose with the windpipe (trachea) and gullet (oesophagus). There are 3 parts to the pharynx, from top to bottom. At the top the pharynx is connected to the nasal cavity, so this part is called the nasopharynx. In the middle the pharynx is connected to the oral cavity, so this part is called the oropharynx. The lower pharynx is the lowest of the 3 sections. The lower pharynx is connected to the trachea and the oesophagus.

You have cancer at the back of your nasopharynx.

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: