Abstract: Cancer cell metabolic reprogramming is a highly significant feature in tumor development and progression. This process is an extension of aerobic glycolysis (i.e., Warburg effect). The metabolic pattern, such as that of glycolysis, oxidative phosphorylation, amino acid metabolism, fatty acid metabolism, and nucleic acid metabolism, is altered significantly during cell carcinogenesis. Fatty acid metabolism is required for energy storage, membrane proliferation, and signaling molecule generation. Thus, studying the mechanism of de novo fatty acid synthesis and its relationship with the development and progression of tumor, as well as the use and targeting of the key enzyme in this metabolic pathway, is vital for the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of cancer. Herein, we provide a brief review of metabolic reprogramming in cancer cells. We focus on the pathways of de novo fatty acid synthesis during the development and progression of tumor.