The incidence of esophageal cancer (EC)is high in China. In recent years, vascular tumor embolus (VTE)has become a common pathological finding after esophagectomy. Multiple studies show that VTE is the result of multiple contributing factors, and is correlated to patients' prognosis. Many researchers confirm that VTE is positively correlated with the risk of lymph node metastasis. Optimal treatment for VTE patients has not yet reached a consensus. Research progress of VTE in EC is reviewed.