BACKGROUND: Neoadjuvant therapy is widely used for esophageal cancer (EC), but optimal treatment regimens and predictive factors for outcomes remain unclear. This study retrospectively analyzed data from EC patients who underwent neoadjuvant therapy. METHODS: The RESULTS: The study included 175 EC patients who underwent neoadjuvant therapy. Analysis of clinical benefit differences revealed that patients aged <
65 years ( CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, this study found that immunotherapy did not play a decisive role in neoadjuvant EC therapy. Instead, 1-2 cycles of chemotherapy or chemoradiotherapy were associated with a more favorable prognosis for these patients.