Tensins are proteins located at focal adhesions that link integrins to the actin cytoskeleton. There are four tensin family members that play important roles in cell adhesion, migration, proliferation and survival. Tensins help maintain tissue integrity but can also contribute to disease when their expression is altered, as seen in various cancers where different tensins may act as either tumor suppressors or oncogenes depending on the context. The functions and regulation of individual tensins can vary between tissues and disease states.