Based on the results of univariate analysis, the significant prognostic factors for the survival of ESCC patients were TNM stage (P < 0.001), depth of invasion (P < 0.001), lymph node metastasis (P = 0.005), distant metastasis (P < 0.001), and FOXK1 expression (P = 0.001). The gene discussed is FOXK1; the disease is esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.