The presence of cancer is one of the diseases that promotes the loss of skeletal muscle mass, which varies depending on the histological type and clinical stage of the disease. Numerous studies have shown the association of reduced skeletal muscle mass as a detrimental factor in clinical outcome and survival; in addition to conditioning greater toxicity of chemotherapy, greater adjustment in subsequent doses, and delays in the administration of treatment. At present, several tools are available to assess skeletal muscle mass; however, their use in patients with cancer is still not widespread and the results are controversial. The present review aimed to describe indirect and double indirect skeletal muscle mass measurement devices and their clinical application in cancer patients.