Objectives: To analyze esophageal cancer incidence and pathological data of Zhongshan in China in 1970-2007, and to provide scientific information for its prevention and control. Methods: From Zhongshan Cancer Registry esophageal cancer incident and pathological data were obtained. Pathological proportions and trends were calculated and analyzed. Results: Although there was a continuously and obviously increasing trend for male incidence rates in 1970-2007 in Zhongshan, squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and adenocarcinoma (AD) incident proportions during 1990-2007 remained relatively stable. Moreover, SCC was the major pathological type, accounting for 70.6 percent of all new cases, while AD were relatively few and accounted for only 2.66 percent throughout the period. Conclusion: The male esophageal cancer incident pattern in Zhongshan in 1970-2007 was quite different from most other domestic areas. The data suggest that etiological analysis should be enhanced for improved control in Zhongshan.