Sleep disturbance seriously affects the physical and mental health and quality of life of cancer patients. Enhancing the quality of life of cancer patients and improving their sleep disturbance situation is a hot topic for clinical oncology research. Through reviewing the definition, influencing factors, assessment tools and nonpharmacological interventions status of sleep disturbance in cancer patients, it is concluded that clinical medical staffs should understand the relevant influencing factors, use appropriate tools to evaluate the degree of sleep disorders effectively in patients, develop reasonable individualized intervention measures, including drug, especially nonpharmacological interventions. Finally cancer patients can obtain benefits maximally by improving the current status of sleep disturbance, quality of life and clinical efficacy.