1H-nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy ( 1H-NMRs ) analysis was performed on serum specimens obtained from 60 preoperative patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma ( ESCC )and 30 healthy controls, and supernatant from 2 ESCC cell lines Eca-109 and TE-13.The characteristic fingerprint was profiled with 1H-NMRs data in healthy controls.Serum 1H-NMRs from 60 preoperative patients with ESCC were measured and compared with the 1H-NMRs from 30 healthy controls.We found some specific peaks in 1H-NMRs profile of serum specimens from ESCC patients, especially at 1.0-1.2 mg/L and 3.4 - 3.6 mg/L.The results were verified by the 1H-NMRs measurement on the supernatant from 2 ESCC cell lines Eca-109 and TE-3.Our results suggest that this two absorption peaks may be characteristic for ESCC and 1H-NMRs analysis on serum specimens may provide information for early diagnosis of ESCC.