Compared with spherical gold particles,rod-shaped ones exhibit more unique properties of surface plasma resonance (SPR). Gold nanorods have two SPR peaks. The lengitudinal suface plasma resonances position depends on rods′ aspect ratio. Thus,the LSPR′s position can be controlled from the visible region to the near infrared by adjusting the aspect ratio of gold nanorods. Gold nanorods have great potential use in biological tissue imaging,cancer diagnosis and therapy because of it′s SPR and strong absorption induced luminescence. Au-ligand conjugates can specifically target the receptor on cancer cells,provide specific information about specific molecules,and allow molecular-specific imaging and cancer detection. Gold nanorods can efficiently absorb optical energy into localized heat,and induce protein denaturation and cells death.The optical properties of kinds of gold nanorods are summarized,and the research progress of selective targeting of gold nanorods in biological imaging,cancer diagnoses and photothermal therapy is reviewed.