Objective To observe the therapeutic effect of phlegm-transforming stasis-dissipating therapy combined with chemotherapy on advanced esophageal cancer. Methods Sixty cases of advanced esophageal cancer were randomized into treatment group and control group

with 30 in each. The treatment group was given chemotherapy and modified phlegm-transforming stasis-dissipating formula. The control group was given chemotherapy only. Both groups were treated for 21 days as one treatment course. The treatment lasted for 4 courses. The TCM pattern score

Karnofsky performance score （KPS）

tumor response and inhibition of bone marrow were observed in both groups before and after treatment. Results The TCM pattern scores were significantly decreased but the KPS were significantly increased in both groups after treatment （P<0.01）

especially in the treatment group （P<0.01 or P<0.05）. The remission rate and stability rate of tumor response in the treatment group was 33.33% and 70.00% respectively. The remission rate and stability rate of tumor response in the control group was 26.67% and 43.33% respectively. There was no significant difference between groups in the remission rate （P>0.05）. The stability rate in the treatment group was significantly higher than that in the control group （P<0.05）. The inhibition of bone marrow in the treatment group was superior to that in the control group （P<0.05）. Conclusion The phlegm-transforming stasis-dissipating therapy can relieve the symptoms of advanced esophageal cancer

increase tumor stabilization rate and decrease the toxicity of chemotherapy on bone marrow.