Abstract： Objective　To define the prognostic factors and local failure in late course accelerated hy perfractionation radiotherapy(LCAHR) for esophageal carcinoma. 　Methods　A retrospective study was conducted in 201 esop hageal squamous cell carcinoma patients treated by LCAHR during the period betwe en August 1994 to January 2000.The radiotherapeutic portals were set and based on CT scan and esophagograms. Al l patients received a mean dose of 41.4 Gy /23 F/4～5 WK. With conventional fr actionation regimen during the first two-thirds of the course,and followed by L CAHR with reduced fields, at dose of 27 Gy/18 d,1.5 Gy per fraction,twice daily. The total dose varied up to 67～70 Gy/40～43 F/40～49 d. 　Results　 The 1-,3- and 5-year actuarial survivals were 72.5%,35.6% and 31.1%. The 1-,3- and 5-year local cont rol rates w ere 82.2%, 71.3% and 71.3%,respectively. Of the 95 patients who died, 34(35.8%) did so from loca l failure , 32(33.7%) from distant metastasis(33.7 %), 13(3.7%) from lymp hatic metastasis, 4(4.2%) frome both local and distant metastasis and 12(12.7%) from complications. 　Conclusions　It is showed that significant improvement in local control and survival are obse rved after LCAHR for esophageal carcinoma in comparison to conventional fraction ated regimen. The prevention and management of distant metastasis and lymphatic spread have become the major problems in the future.