Esophageal cancer (EC) is the eighth most common cancer type and the sixth leading cause of cancer death worldwide [1]. Patient with EC have a poor prognosis, and the 5-year overall survival rate is only 15 %–25 %. Despite recent advances in multidisciplinary treatment, the prognosis of patients with esophageal cancer remains poor [2]. Identify new predictive indicators may help to develop better screening strategies and improve patient prognosis.

High endothelial venules (HEVs) are specialized blood vessels support lymphocyte extravasation [3]. HEVs endothelial cells specifically express peripheral node addressin (PNAd), recognized by the HEV-specific antibody “Mouse Endothelial Cell Antigen-79” (MECA-79), which mediate the initial capture and rolling of lymphocytes along the HEV vessel wall [4], [5]. HEVs in some tumor tissues have been frequently reported recently. Indeed, HEVs' presence in breast cancer [6], melanoma [7], [8], [9], gastric cancer [10], head and neck cancer [11], and oral squamous cell carcinoma [12] has shown a good prognosis.

Current opinion holds that induction of HEV production in tumor tissue has a positive feedback effect that promotes anti-tumor effects [13], [14]. Recent studies have shown that induction of HEV formation can also improve the efficacy of immunotherapy [15], [16]. These may provide new directions for ESCC therapy. However, HEVs in ESCC remained to be determined. The purpose of this study was to investigate HEVs presence in ESCC and their impact on the prognosis of ESCC patients.