Ribosomal protein (RP) is a major component of the ribosome which are the sites of protein synthesis. However, RP is not stale, easy to be degradated by nuclear protease. When the synthesis of cellular ribosomal subunits is increased, the abnormal regulation of cell function and metabolic disorder leads to abnormal cell proliferation and dysfunction, and even malignant transformation. Tumor onset and progression, often accompanied by genomic instability, will lead to the change of encoding ribosomal protein gene, tumor regional hypoxia and nutritional deficiencies. Chemical drugs used in treatment and radiation may affect the ribosome synthesis, ribosomal protein imbalance or dysfunction. All of these factors lead to ribosomal stress, which stimulates the formation of ribosomal proteins in the form of free ribosomes. The rapid growth and proliferation of tumor cells requires more ribosome synthesis mechanism than somatic cells, which promotes the synthesis of ribosomes. A large number of studies have confirmed the abnormal expression of ribosomal proteins in tumors, suggesting that ribosomal proteins play an important role in the development and progression of human diseases and tumors. Ribosomal protein family, the key members of the body for protein synthesis, play an irreplaceable role in the process of genetic information transfer and also play other functions besides protein translation. The research results showed the ribosomal protein family could regulate tumor cell cycle and apoptosis, and promote tumor proliferation, infiltration, metastasisangiogenesis, or ohter malignant biological behaviors through regulating oncogenes and tumor suppressor gene expression or collaborating with chromosome genes. The ribosomal protein family which play an important role in the occurrence and development of the tumor, is one of the important factors in promoting tumor occurrence and development.