Objective To understand the latest research developments of the formation mechanism of psammoma body in human tumors and related issues. Methods Related domestic and foreign literatures were widely referred, analyzed, and reviewed. Results Psammoma body is unique pathological calcification in some tumors, which is arranged in concentric, laminar circles microscopically. Psammoma body is commonly seen in thyroid papillary carcinoma, meningiomas, ovarian serous papillary carcinoma, and so on. Conclusions Although arranged in concentric, laminar circles microscopically in tumor, the formation process of psammoma body is not entirely the same in different tumors. A comprehensive and objective understanding of psammoma body would be useful in cancer diagnosis and treatment.