ObjectiveTo investigate the nasal and hand carriage state of Staphylococcus aureus (SA) in tumor patients with chemotherapy, so as to strengthen nosocomial infection prevention and control. MethodsOne hundred and ninetynine patients in chemotherapy department from May to November 2008 were investigated, samples of patients’ anterior nares and hands within 48 hours of admission and before discharge were taken, SA  were isolated and identified, methicillinresistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) were detected with cefoxitin disk diffusion method. ResultsTwentytwo (11.06%) of 199 patients’ anterior nares carried SA at admission, 2 (1.01%)of which  were MRSA;  34 (17.09%) patients' hands carried SA at admission, 9 (4.52%)of which were MRSA; Before discharge, 29 (14.57%) patients’ anterior nares carried SA, 8(4.02%) of which were MRSA; 26 (13.07%) patients’ hands   carried  SA, 7 (3.52%)of which  were MRSA; The increased nasal carriage of SA before discharge were 17 (8.54%) cases, 7 (3.52%) of which were MRSA; The increased hand carriage of SA was 19 cases (9.55%), 7(3.52%) of which were MRSA, the nasal carriage rate  of MRSA before discharge was 27.59%(8/29), which was higher than the nasal carriage rate of 9.09% (2/22) at admission, there was significant difference between the two (u=1.65, P<0.05). Among patients who carried SA at admission, the continued carriage of SA in anterior nares was 54.55%, in hands was 20.59%, the former was obviously higher than the latter (u=2.63, P<0.01). ConclusionPatients can acquire SA and MRSA during hospitalization, and nasal carriage can be continuous, and last  for long time. The awareness of hand hygiene of health care workers and cleaning and disinfection of ward environment should be strengthened.