The following search terms were used: ("esophageal cancer" OR "esophageal carcinoma" OR "esophageal neoplasm" OR "oesophageal cancer") AND ("C-reactive protein-albumin-lymphocyte" OR "CALLY" OR "CRP-albumin-lymphocyte") AND ("survival" OR "prognosis" OR "mortality" OR "outcome"). Here, ALB is linked to esophageal cancer.