食道癌位居國人2016 年十大癌症死因第九位，且男性死亡率遠遠高於女性，彼此相差十 五倍有餘。而食道鱗狀上皮癌占了所有食道癌的八成，是一種高度侵襲性的癌症，只有不到 四分之一的病人能活超過五年；更因為嚴重的腫瘤相關併發症如無法進食、廔管等，令人聞 之色變。不過近年來隨著內視鏡技術的進步、化療和放射治療的發展，能夠更早的發現及更 好的治療食道癌，大大改善了病人的預後。本文回顧了最近幾年食道鱗狀上皮癌的最新發展 和臨床研究報告，從盛行率、致病因子、基因、診斷和治療方法等方面來剖析食道鱗狀上皮 癌，期待對於臨床工作者有所幫助。

In 2016, esophageal cancer was the ninth most common cause of cancer death in Taiwan. Moreover, the mortality rate in men was 15 times higher than that in women. Squamous cell carcinoma accounts for 80% of esophageal cancer. It is a highly invasive cancer, and symptoms include dysphagia, fistulas, and bleeding. Less than 25% of patients survive for 5 years or more. Recent progress in endoscopic techniques has led to earlier detection of esophageal cancer, and with developments in chemoradiotherapy the prognosis has improved greatly. The present article reviews the latest developments and clinical research in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, including the prevalence, pathogenic mechanisms, and genetic factors. Diagnostic modalities and current treatment options are discussed to help clinicians. (J Intern Med Taiwan 2018; 29: 28-37)