Background: Esophageal carcinoma has a dismal prognosis. Several authors have reported a very low survival in Chile. Aim: To report the survival of patients with esophageal carcinoma, subjected to esophageal resection. Material and methods: Analysis of 108 patients subjected to thoracic esophageal resection between 1985 and 1996. Patients were classified according to the location of the tumor and its staging. Results: Eleven patients died in the immediate postoperative period and 90 patients were followed. In 53 the exact cause of death was determined. Global five years survival was 29% and median survival was 18 months. Survival was 100% in stage I tumors. Adjuvant therapy resulted in a better survival of stage III tumors. Survival of stage IV tumors was worst than stage I to III tumors. There was no survival difference between squamous carcinoma or adenocarcinoma. Tumors located in the superior third of the esophagus had a worst prognosis. Causes of death were mediastinic metastases, local recidivism, pleural or pulmonary metastases and less frequently, brain, bronchial or bone metastases. Conclusions: The survival of these, patients with esophageal carcinoma did not differ from the figures reported abroad. (Rev Méd Chile 2000; 128: 64-74)