Cancer of the Tongue; Carcinoma of the Tongue; Tongue, Carcinoma; Disorder Subdivisions. None; General Discussion. Tongue cancers are oral cancers that are differentiated by their location in the mouth and on the tongue. If the cancer is on the forward portion of the tongue, it is known as a squamous cell cancer of the oral tongue. If the cancer is located towards the rear third of the tongue, it is known as a squamous cell cancer at the base of the tongue.