Intermittent fasting is a novel dietary intervention strategy that has been demonstrated to improve the efficacy of malignancy treatment and reduce complications. Time-restricted eating is a specific form of intermittent fasting. It usually restricts only the daily eating window and not calories. In addition to weight management and improving metabolism like other intermittent fasting methods time-restricted eating also synchronizes circadian rhythms and affects autophagy levels which has potential anti-aging effects. Some studies have shown its potential to prevent tumorigenesis and slow tumor progressions. Moreover due to the unsophisticated implementation and mild side effects time-restricted eating is safe and well followed. It may become an adjuvant therapy and even a healthy lifestyle suitable for the long-term execution of cancer patients. This paper expounds on the potential impact mechanism of time-restricted eating on the prevention and treatment of cancer from three aspects improving obesity and metabolic disorders synchronizing circadian rhythm and up-regulating autophagy and current research progress related to tumors. The purpose of this review is to provide a theoretical basis and direction for future research to explore the potential preventive effect of time - restricted eating as a nutritional intervention on the occurrence of cancer and the role of treatment or adjuvant therapy for cancer. It is conducive to improve the nutritional strategy for cancer patients and improving the quality of life and prognosis of patients.