Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma is one of the pathological histological types of esophageal cancer and is the most common type of esophageal cancer in China. In terms of pathological organization, esophagus is composed of various cellular components, including squamous cells and glandular cells. After the tumor tissue is sectioned and its cytologic morphology is observed, those that conform to squamous cells are called esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. Esophageal cancer is a common malignant tumor of the digestive tract and is currently ranked as the ninth most malignant disease in the world. China is a high incidence area of esophageal cancer in the world, and the incidence rate of esophageal cancer in China has unique geographical characteristics, with the highest incidence rate in the border area of Henan, Hebei and Shanxi provinces. The incidence of esophageal cancer is higher in men than in women. The exact cause of esophageal cancer is still unclear, but smoking and heavy alcohol consumption are its main causes. Anatomically, esophageal cancer in the mid-thoracic region is more common. In non-high incidence areas such as the United States and Europe, adenocarcinoma is more common, while in China, as a high incidence area, squamous carcinoma is more common. Clinical symptoms are mainly progressive dysphagia. Treatment is mainly multidisciplinary and comprehensive with surgery as the main treatment. In conclusion, esophageal squamous cell carcinoma is classified according to the pathological histotype of esophageal cancer, and if squamous cell esophageal cancer is found, it should be actively treated.