Abstract: Objective 　To investigate clinical characteristics and risk factors of Candida species infection in patients with malignant tumors for the guidance of the prevention and surveillance of Candida infection. Methods 　A ret rospective clinical study was performed in Tangshan people's hospital for 24 months (January 2004 to December 2005) . In 785 patients with malignant tumor, clinical records of 153 patients with Candida infection were collected. Results 　Candida infection rate was 21. 02 %. The major Candida species was Candida albicans (77. 78 %), the second was Candida glabrata (11. 77 %) . The main locations of infection were mouth cavity and upper respiratory t ract (55. 75 %) . Sex had no influence on Candida infection. The main risk factors were age ≥60 years, long-term hospitalzation, cancer stage, chemotherapy and radiotherapy, comprehensive application of antibiotics and hormones, diverse aggressive techniques of diagnosis and treatment . Conclusion 　Candida species is a major opportunistic pathogen. Candida infection was the result of advances in medical treatment and increasing numbers of immunocompromised patients with cancer. The prevention and surveillance of Candida infection must be emphasized.