Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) is one of the major pathogens in community and hospital-acquired bloodstream infections. However, few studies have focused on prognostic factors of cancer patients infected with S. aureus. Clinical data of 214 cases with S. aureus infection, hospitalized in Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital (TMUCIH), from 2011 to 2015, were reviewed. They were divided into a death group and survival group. WHONET 5.6 software and SPSS19.0 were used to analyze data. In the survival group, there were 83 male cases and 105 female cases, with a mean age of 55.9 +/- 16.3 years old. In the death group, there were 15 male cases and 11 female cases, with a mean age of 52.9 +/- 16 years old. Tumors in the digestive system of the two groups accounted for 36.2% and 30.8%, respectively. Main specimen types were blood (36.4%) and drainage fluid (49.1%). Bloodstream infections, no surgery, hospitalization of more than 2 times, with distant metastasis, without drainage tubes, and radiotherapy were potential prognostic risk factors in cancer patients with S. aureus infection (P<0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed that no surgery (OR = 0.261, 95% CI = 0.076-0.891, p = 0.032) and radiotherapy (OR = 4.796, 95% CI = 1.192-19.291, p = 0.027) were independent prognostic risk factors. These are necessary treatment means for cancer patients. However, the results of this study provide evidence helping clinicians prevent trouble before it happens, adopting comprehensive prevention and control measures, improving the prognosis of patients, and reducing mortality rates of S. aureus infection. The Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) ratio of S. aureus was 14.5%. No vancomycin, linezolid, and tigecycline resistant strains were detected.