The cancer which originates from esophageal mucosal epithelial cells and submucosal gland tissue, is called primary esophageal cancer; and the cancer which is caused by any other tissue or organ’s primary malignant tumors, either through direct infiltration of tumor cells or by lymphatic spread and hematogenous metastasis, is known as secondary esophageal cancer, which includes secondary invasive carcinoma and secondary metastatic cancer. This article reviewed the literature, and the current occurrence of secondary esophageal cancer, the mechanism of occurrence, the clinical features, the status and progress for diagnosis and treatment were summarized.