Abstract: From 1969 to 1984, 535 old age patients with esophageal carcinoma were treated by radio-therapy. All patients were more than 65 years old. They were followed up for more than five years. The 1、3 and 5 year survival rates were 50. 5 0 0、20. 7写and 9. 9 0 0 " The 5 year survival rate of more than 65 years old patients could get the same results as that younger patients. The shorter tumor length，the higher survival rate. The high tatal dose is not suitable for the treat-ment of radiotherapy in old patients. In a word，the radiotherapy of the old patients of esophageal cancer must give a same treatment as that of younger patients.