Malignant tumor has become the top cause of deaths before the average life expectancy in Chinese population. From the variations in the morbidity rate and mortality rate of malignant tumor in the mainland of China between 2000 and 2011, the primary prevention targeting the risk factors/etiological agents significantly reduced the morbidity rates of gastric cancer, esophageal cancer, and primary liver cancer, therefore reduced the mortality rates of these cancers. However, the contribution of clinical treatments to the mortality reduction was not obviously improved during this period. Importantly, it is necessary to conduct research to identify precancerous lesions and early tumors which are prone to progress to aggressive diseases for the active secondary prevention to avoid over-diagnosis and over-treatment. Multi-center, prospective randomized controlled clinical trials and prognosis evaluation independently carried out by third parts are needed to evaluate the longterm effectiveness of some clinical treatment efficiency for cancers with different histological types. On the basis of a series of population-based studies in China, the prevention and clinical treatments for malignant tumor need innovations on technology, management, and even concept; the mechanisms of "forward placement of strategic pass" for the prevention and control of malignant tumor should be established and improved to reduce the increasing disease burden due to malignant tumor in China.