Objective： To evaluate the relation between the changes of serum transforming growth factor beta1 (TGFβ1) and response to radiotherapy in esophageal carcinoma before and after radiotherapy. Methods: Fifty six newly diagnosed esophageal carcinoma patients were studied. Serum samples for TGFβ1 were obtained before and after radiotherapy. An enzyme-lined immunosorbent assay(ELISA) was used to measure changes of serum TGFβ1 levels and compared with the limits, location, X-ray pathologic, the immediate response to radiotherapy, metastasis and recurrence. Results: The data showed that the serum TGFβ1 level in esophageal carcinoma patients before radiotherapy was significantly higher than that of healthy controls（P<0.01）.The changes of serum levels after radiotherapy were also closely related to the limits, the immediate response to radiotherapy and metastasis and recurrence（P<0.01）, but were not related to the location, X-ray pathological pattern of the lesions. Conclusion: These results suggest that the serum TGFβ1 level may be a useful marker for monitoring the response and prognosis after radiotherapy in patients with esophageal carcinoma.