ObjectiveTo summarize the clinical pathologic features of primary tonsil tumor, in order to provide reference for its diagnosis and treatment. MethodsWe retrospectively analyzed the clinical data from January 2002 to April 2012, and found 810 cases of malignant tumor and 113 cases of benign tumor. The pathologic patterns and clinical manifestations of these cases were recorded for analysis. ResultsMost tonsil tumors were unilateral, and the malignant types were much more than the benign. The most common malignant tonsil tumors were lymphoma (610 cases), followed by squamous cell carcinoma (172 cases); inverted papilloma was the most common benign tumor (87 cases). Paresthesia in the pharynx was the most common clinical manifestation that existed in almost all cases. ConclusionTonsil tumor pathological type is very important for its diagnosis, treatment and prognosis. Laying emphasis on pathological diagnosis and differential diagnosis could avoid missed diagnosis, misdiagnosis and improper treatment, which is particularly important for clinical physicians of the otolaryngology, head and neck surgery.