Abstract <p>Active tumor proliferation is always associated with the activation of metabolic pathways. Research into tumor metabolism over the past two decades has revealed numerous metabolomic differences compared to corresponding normal tissues. One of the most critical transformations supporting malignant tumor growth is the restructuring of lipid metabolism. Lipidomic studies have identified molecular changes that can serve as markers for the diagnosis and prognosis of cancer and are also potential targets for targeted therapy. One of the key features of lipogenesis in malignant tumors is the activation of acetate metabolism, which is virtually inactive in healthy tissues. Acetate is involved in various processes associated with lipogenesis. This review presents a detailed description of acetate metabolism and its critical importance in oncogenesis.</p>