Objective To analyze the morbidity and clinical features of the elderly patients with cancer in order to provide a scientific basis for their comprehensive treatment. Methods A total of 512 patients with age over 65 years randomly selected from all senile cancer patients admitted in our department from August 2007 to March 2013 were recruited and retrospectively analyzed in this study. Results The top 3 tumors of the highest incidence in this cohort were lung cancer, colorectal cancer and head-neck cancer. The comorbidities were anemia, hypertension and pulmonary infection in order. The sites of metastatic lesions were common in the bone, then followed by the liver and lungs. Among them, 112 patients received palliative treatment, 84 patients received surgery and chemotherapy, and 81 patients received surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Conclusion Since the elderly cancer patients usually have various comorbidities, good evaluation should be made before treatment to acquire the best therapeutic effect and to improve the quality of life. The palliative therapy plays important role in the treatment of the elderly patients with cancer.