Abstract: Objective To explore the characteristics of type-C behavior among esophageal cancer patients and to provide basis for prevention and control of esophageal cancer.Methods Type-C behavior was investigated among 208 esophageal cancer patients and 210 control patients without esophageal cancer with a questionnaire.Results The scores of type-C behavior questionnaire for depression,anger,anger toward inside,reasoning,and social support were 44.30±7.47,24.74±6.71,14.71±2.51,42.19±6.50,and 16.24±3.20 among the cancer palients and 40.47±6.8,22.58±5.00,13.82±2.52,40.80±3.58,and 17.53±2.13 among the control patients,respectively,with significant differences betw een the two groups(P< 0.01 for all).The scores of anxiety,depression,anger,anger toward inside,anger toward outside,reasoning,control,optimistic,and social support for male cancer patients were 47.37±7.38,43.34±7.81,24.62±6.24,14.86±2.37,13.83±2.75,42.62±6.77,19.07±3.86,22.11±3.83,and 16.56±3.15,respectively,with significant differences (P< 0.01 for all) compared with those of the male norm.The scores of anxiety,depression,anger,anger toward outside,control,optimistic,and social support for the female cancer patients were 46.17±6.31,46.25±6.36,24.97±7.61,13.22±2.74,18.33±3.86,21.10±3.26,and 15.58±3.21,respectively,with significant differences(P< 0.05 for all) compared to those of the female norm.Conclusion The type-C behavior in esophageal cancer patients is obvious and may relate to the incidence,progression,treatment and prognosis of the cancer.Mental health education may be helpful for the prevention of esophageal cancer.