Long non-coding RNAs are defined as endogenous molecules with a length greater than 200 nucleotides and with no apparent coding potential. Recent studies showed that lncRNA could interact with the miRNA as a competing endogenous RNAs (ceRNAs) to participate in the expression regulation of target genes, which exert an importance role in the initiation and progression of tumor. In this review, based on lncRNA functioning as ceRNAs, we described the mechanism and function of some relevant lncRNA in the initiation and progression of tumor. A growing number of researches indicated that the interaction between lncRNA and miRNA in tumor genesis would provide new ideas in tumor diagnosis and treatment.