The IGFBP-2 values of patients in the middle and early stage before and after treatment were lower than those of patients in the middle and advanced stage, and the absolute values of albumin, lymphocytes and PNI values were higher than those of patients in the middle and advanced stage; compared with those before treatment, the IGFBP-2 values of patients in the middle and early stage and advanced stage esophageal cancer were significantly decreased, and the absolute values of albumin, lymphocytes and PNI values were increased, and the differences were statistically significant (P < 0.05). Here, IGFBP2 is linked to esophageal cancer.