In addition, we found that a history of diabetes (OR=1.604, P=0.029, 95% CI=1.049–2.454), a history of coronary heart disease (OR=1.592, P=0.046, 95% CI=1.008–2.515), diffusing capacity of the lungs for carbon monoxide (DLCO) (OR=0.916, P=0.024, 95% CI=0.849–0.988), and ALB level (OR=0.955, P=0.007, 95% CI=0.924–0.987) were independent factors that influenced postoperative complications in esophageal cancer patients with grade III or higher complications. Here, ALB is linked to esophageal cancer.