The general features of laser-induced metal oxidation and laser-assisted oxide deposition are discussed. The mechanisms of isothermal and laser-induced oxidation processes are compared. The peculiarities of the laser-assisted processes, e.g. non-linearities and non-equilibriums feedback effects, are emphasized. Instabilities connected with the appearance of positive feedback between the laser and thermal parameters, as well as the optical properties of the system, are considered. Absorptivity changes and variations of the metal oxidation constant, such as due to changes in temperature and wavelength, are presented by using vanadium as an example. Experimental data of laser-assisted metal oxidation of different metals are presented in tabulated form. Some morphological irregularities as a result of laser irradiation are shown. Trends of theoretical and experimental investigations are indicated.