Objective To analyze the potential categories and influencing factors of death anxiety in newly diagnosed cancer patients based on latent profile analysis，so as to provide reference for taking targeted measures. Methods A total of 418 newly diagnosed cancer patients were selected by convenience sampling method and investigated with the general information questionnaire, the Meaning in Life Scale and Death Anxiety Scale. The categories of death anxiety in newly diagnosed cancer patients were identified by using latent profile analysis, and the influencing factors of different categories were analyzed. Results The incidence of death anxiety in newly diagnosed cancer patients was 58.85%. The patients with death anxiety were identified into two potential categories through latent profile analysis: stress-painful death anxiety (41.06%) and cognitive death anxiety (58.94%). The logistic regression results showed that those who were male, 18-<45 years old, and had household per monthly income <3 000 yuan were more likely to be classified as the group of stress-painful death anxiety. Those with stage Ⅲ tumor and education level of primary school or below were more likely to belong to the group of cognitive death anxiety. Newly diagnosed cancer patients with a higher sense of meaning in life had lower levels of death anxiety (all P<0.05). Conclusion The incidence of death anxiety in newly diagnosed cancer patients is high, which can be divided into two potential categories. Nursing staff should identify patients with death anxiety in time, and implement targeted interventions.