In the current study, we evaluate the frequency and pattern of recurrence in patients with esophageal cancer. Among 116 patients who had undergone curative resection for esophageal cancer, recurrence was found in 33 (28.4%). The most frequent pattern of recurrence was lymphatic (54.5%), followed by the mixed type (18.2%), hematogenic (12.1%), locoregional (12.1%), and anastomotic (3.0%) patterns. Recurrence was found within 1 year after surgery in 18 (54.5%), within 2 years in 12 (36.4%), and within 3 years in 3 (9.1%). In patients with recurrence, lymph node metastasis and advanced stage were seen more frequently than in those without recurrence. The prognosis for patients with recurrent disease is poor. However, in some cases surgical resection, systemic chemotherapy, hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy, and local radiation therapy have proven to be effective. The most appropriate therapy should be selected based on the region of extension and patient performance status to provide optimum treatment of recurrent disease.