In conclusion, the present study suggested that the single polymorphism in the DNA repair gene XRCC1 was not statistically associated with risk of ESCC; however, haplotype CGC (codon 194, codon 399 and −77T>C) of three SNPs in XRCC1 gene may decrease risk for ESCC susceptibility. This evidence concerns the gene XRCC1 and esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.