The Yawkey building entrance is now closed.

As of April 29, BMC’s Yawkey building doors are closed as an entrance. All patients and visitors on our main campus must enter the hospital via the Shapiro, Menino, or Moakley buildings, where they will be greeted by team members at a new centralized check-in desk. Learn more.

Most tongue cancers begin in the cells that cover the surfaces of your tongue. Tests to diagnose oral cancer include a physical exam, endoscopy, biopsy, and imaging tests.

Symptoms

  • White or red patches in your mouth
  • A mouth sore that won't heal
  • Bleeding in your mouth
  • Problems or pain with swallowing

Treatment

Treatments may include surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy. Some patients have a combination of treatments.

Risk Factors

The risk of developing tongue cancer is higher if you are male, use tobacco, drink lots of alcohol, have HPV, or have a history of head or neck cancer.

Departments and Programs Who Treat This Condition

department

Head and Neck Cancer Program

The Head and Neck Cancer Center is a major provider for patients with early-stage, recurrent, or aggressive head and neck cancers. The nationally recognized team of multidisciplin…