A squamous cell carcinoma that arises from the mucosal lining of the tonsil and tends to metastasize early to the lymph nodes. It predominantly affects middle aged and elderly patients who have a history of alcohol and tobacco use. Patients may present with tonsillar swelling, sore throat, pain radiating to the ipsilateral ear, or a neck mass. The disease is tonsillar squamous cell carcinoma (MONDO_0006470, a Monarch Disease Ontology id). Also known as: SCC of the tonsil, SCC of tonsil, palatine tonsil squamous cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma of the tonsil, squamous cell carcinoma of tonsil, tonsil SCC, tonsil squamous cell carcinoma, tonsillar SCC.