The expression level of HAX-1 mRNA and the strong positive rate of HAX-1 protein expression were significantly higher in ESCC samples (0.527 ± 0.060 and 45.54%) than that in non-neoplastic samples (0.121 ± 0.017 and 0.00%), and in ESCC samples with lymph node metastasis (0.5540 ± 0.054 and 71.11%) than that in ESCC samples without lymph node metastasis (0.509 ± 0.058 and 28.36%) (all P < 0.01). This evidence concerns the gene HAX1 and esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.