Cluster of differentiation 36(CD36) belongs to the scavenger receptor class B type 2 (SR-B2) and is also known as fatty acid translocase (FAT). CD36 is a transmembrane glycoprotein and widely expressed in multiple cell types. Because its extracellular domain interacts with diverse ligands, CD36 plays a key role in immunity, inflammation, angiogenesis, lipid metabolism and so on. In the field of cancer, more and more studies have shown that CD36 is highly expressed in some tumor cells and has an effect on the tumorigenesis and progression through different mechanisms. Especially when CD36 and its ligands ［such as thrombospondin-1(TSP-1), long chain fatty acid(LCFA), Toll-like receptors, collagen, etc.］are combined, it mediates the signaling pathway and has a great influence in tumor metastasis, tumor immunity, drug resistance and other process. In addition, CD36 is also expressed in tumor-associated stromal cells and immune cells and plays a different role in cancer progression. Currently, CD36 has been proposed as a biomarker in various types of tumors and indicates the poor prognosis. Based on the existing researches, this article reviews the structure, tissue distribution and ligands of CD36, and further discusses its effects and mechanisms in different types of tumors, in order to provide new perspectives for the development of anti-tumor drugs targeting CD36.