Objective To summarise the clinical features and microsurgical therapeutical effect on cavernous sinus tumors. Methods Clinical data of 36 hospitalized patients with cavernous sinus tumor from Jan 2000 and Dec 2007 was analyzed retrospectively. Results The study cohort consisted of 15 cases of schwannomas, 11 meningiomas, 5 cavernous haemangiomas, 3 epidermoid cysts, 2 neurofibroma, and 1 melanoma. Of all the 36 cases, 33 underwent microsurgical treatment aimed at radical excision, one patient with cavernous haemangioma received γknife therapy, and 2 cases of meningioma received no treatment. The tumor was totally removed in 25 cases, subtotally removed in 7, partially removed in one, with no surgical mortality. After the operation, the cranial nerve function got improved in 6 cases and deterioration or newlyoccurred cranial nerve dysfunction in 15.The patients receiving microsurgical treatment were followed up for 3 to 6 months postoperatively. No relapse occurred. Conclusion Most cavernous sinus tumors are benign and commonly occur in women. If the surgical approach is appropriately selected and the microsurgical technique is skillfully performed, the outcome of the cavernous tumor is quite good.