Moreover, mTOR/p-mTOR expression could independently predict the worse overall survival (HR: 2.04; 95 % CI: 1.58–2.62; P < 0.001), disease-free survival (HR: 2.39; 95 % CI: 1.64–3.49; P < 0.001) and cancer-specific survival (HR: 1.62; 95 % CI: 1.18–2.23; P = 0.003) of patients with ESCC. The gene discussed is MTOR; the disease is esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.