ICD-10 Code C02.4 – Malignant neoplasm of lingual tonsil (2026): Diagnosis, Symptoms & Billing Guide
2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code C02.4 – Malignant neoplasm of lingual tonsil
What it is
C02.4 identifies a malignant tumor arising in the lingual tonsil, the lymphoid tissue at the base of the tongue. Use this code when documentation states cancer of the lingual tonsil or base of tongue tonsillar tissue.
Clinical signs
Clinical features vary; refer to documentation. Commonly reported findings include a mass at the tongue base, throat pain, dysphagia, odynophagia, or referred ear pain, but you should code only what is documented.
When to use this code
Use C02.4 when the provider diagnoses a primary malignant neoplasm of the lingual tonsil. This may appear in pathology, oncology, or ENT notes describing confirmed cancer at that site. If the record only says “base of tongue” without site detail, check documentation.
Do not use for
Do not use this code for benign tonsillar disease, inflammation, or unspecified oral cavity cancer. If the malignancy is documented as involving another oropharyngeal site, use the code for that site instead.
Coding tip
Verify the exact anatomic site and whether the tumor is primary, because “tongue” and “tonsil” are coded differently.