Objective To observe the clinical efficacy and safety of Shidao Tongjie Decoction（ 食道通结方） as an adjuvant to chemotherapy in the treatment of advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. Methods Seventyone advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma patients were selected. They were randomly divided into treatment group（ 35 patients） and control group（ 36 patients）. The control group was given combination chemotherapy with paclitaxel and carboplatin. In addition

the treatment group was given Shidao Tongjie Decoction at the same time

one dose day. After chemotherapy

the treatment group was given the Chinese medicine for 4 months. Three-year survival rate was observed. Indexes of behavior and immunologic function and Chinese syndrome effect were observed at the fourth month after chemotherapy. Adverse reaction was observed. Results Three-year survival rate in treatment group and in control group was 48. 6% and 25. 0% respectively. Three-year survival rate of the treatment group was higher than that of the control group（ P < 0. 05）. The total effective rate of Chinese syndrome effect in treatment group was 80. 0% and the rate in control group was 58. 3%. The total effective rate of Chinese syndrome effect in treatment group was higher than that in control group（ P < 0. 05）. At the fourth month after chemotherapy

symptom scores of spitting phlegm

sour regurgitation

loose stools and fatigue in treatment group were significantly lower than those before chemotherapy and the symptom scores in treatment group were significantly lower than those in control group（ P < 0. 05）. The total effective rate of behavior in treatment group was 71. 4% and the rate in control group was 41. 7%. The total effective rate of behavior in treatment group was significantly higher than that in control group（ P < 0. 05）. The CD4+/CD8+and number of NK cell in treatment group were significantly increased after treatment;the CD4+/CD8+and number of NK cell in treatment group were significantly higher than those in control group（ P <0. 05）. Incidence rate of side effects of all anticancer drugs in treatment group was lower than that in control group

but there was no statistical significance（ P > 0. 05）. Conclusion Shidao Tongjie Decoction as an adjuvant to chemotherapy might improve clinical symptoms

decrease side effects

improve the quality of life and improve the immunologic function in the treatment of advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.