[en] Objective: To observe the relation between pathologic tumor response to concurrent chemo-radiotherapy and the serum VEGF level, and to explore its corresponding influence on the efficacy and prognosis in patients with esophageal carcinoma. Methods: Totally 46 cases of patients with esophageal cancer who received concurrent chemo-radiotherapy were enrolled. The gastroscopy and pathologic examination were conducted before and 4 weeks afterwards. Meanwhile, the serum VEGF level and X-ray barium of esophageal image were measured before, 4 weeks later and after the radiotherapy. The relation between the tumor pathologic response and the changes of the serum VEGF level and its influence on the efficacy and prognosis were analyzed. Results: There were 18 cases (85.7%), 7 cases (53.8%) and 6 cases (50.0%) whose serum VEGF level dropped in the severe, moderate and mild group, respectively, and significant differences among these groups(χ² = 6.072, P < 0.05). There were 19 cases (90.5%), 5 cases (38.5%) and 4 cases (33.3%) whose response measured as effective in the severe, moderate and mild group, respectively, and significant differences among these groups(χ² = 14.289, P < 0.05)). The 2-year survival rates of the severe, there was no statistically difference between the severe and mild group on OS. There were 22 cases (71.0%), 6 cases(40.0%) and 4 cases (33.3%) whose response measured as effective in the serum VEGF level drop and increase group, respectively, and significant differences between these groups(χ² = 14.289, P < 0.05)). Conclusions: The tumor pathologic response during chemo-radiotherapy and the changes of the serum VEGF lever may predict the curative effect of chemo-radiotherapy in the patients with esophageal cancer. To monitor the tumor pathologic response and the changes of the serum VEGF levels may be valuable for individualized treatment for esophageal cancer patients. (authors)