Objective To explore the relationship between nutritional status, pain degree and life quality of tumor patients. Methods A total of 50 cancer patients in General Hospital of Eastern Theater Command were investigated by demographic information questionnaire, numerical rating scale (NRS)、patient generated subjective global assessment（PG⁃SGA）and EORTC QLQ⁃C30. Results The incidence of pain in cancer patients was 60% and the incidence of severe malnutrition was 46%. Comparison of the number of pain cases with different nutritional status was statistically significant (P<0.01). Somatic function, emotional function, overall health status were negatively correlated with pain (P<0.05) while constipation and shortness of breath were positively correlated with pain (P<0.05). Nutritional status scores were negatively correlated with somatic function, role function, emotional function, overall health status in the quality of life score (P<0.05), and positively correlated with fatigue, pain, loss of appetite (P<0.01). Conclusion The incidence of pain and malnutrition in cancer patients is high and affects each other, so it is worth further exploring its correlation.