Tongue cancer is a type of oral cancer that begins when the cells that make up the tongue grow out of control and form lesions like ulcers or tumors.

There are two parts to your tongue, the oral tongue and the base of the tongue. Cancer can develop in either part. The oral tongue is the part you see when you stick out your tongue. This is the front two-thirds of your tongue.

The base of the tongue is the back third of the tongue. This part is very near your throat (pharynx). Cancer that develops in this part is classified as oropharynx cancer, or throat cancer.

The information here focuses on oral tongue cancer.