Abstract: Objective: To attempt the efficacy of combined radiotherapy and carboplatin in treatment of esophageal cancer after operative exploration. Methods: A total of 86 patients with esophageal cancer, after operative exploration, were randomly divided into two groups: groupⅠand group Ⅱ. Patients are randomized to one of the 2 treatment groups. The patients of group Ⅰonly receive radiotherapy. The patients of Group Ⅱ receive radiotherapy of identical doses and manners vs intravenous carboplatin AUC=90mg-150mg on four continuous days as one cycle in the first and fourth weeks of radiotherapy。Results: The 1-, 3- and 5-year survival rate of group Ⅰand groupⅡ was 74.4%, 14%, 4.7% 和86%, 44.2% and 23.3%, respectively. The 3- and 5-year survival rate of groupⅡ was higher than that in group Ⅰ(P<0.05). The 1-, 3-, and 5-year local control rate was 58.1%, 14%, 4.7% and 79.1%, 44.2%, and 23.3% respectively. The 3- year and 5-year local control rate of group Ⅱ was higher than group Ⅰ(P<0.05). As toxicity and side-effects, the occurrence of group Ⅱ was higher than Group I(P<0.05). A total of 20 patients in GroupⅡ experienced reversed medulla depression, but only 2 in Group I. Conclusion: Radiotherapy combined with carboplatin can obviously improve the 3- and 5-year survival rate of esophageal cancer after operative exploreation.