Abstract: Objective To discuss the effects of Orem self-care theory in the esophageal cancer patients with radiation and chemotherapy in terms of quality of life,curative effect,nursing satisfaction,incidence of toxic and side effects before and after nursing. Methods We selected 108 esophageal cancer patients and divided them into the research group and the control group,with 54 cases in each group.The differences of gender,disease duration,age and other general information of two groups were not statistically significant (P<0.05).Routine nursing was used in the control group,on the basis of which the research group received Orem self-care theory oriented nursing including complete compensatory nursing,partial compensatory nursing and support education,The life quality of patients with cancer were respectively accessed before and after the care with reference to life quality criteria of cancer patients.The therapeutic efficacy was measured with reference to tumor response evaluation criteria of National Cancer Institute to compare the quality of life,curative effect,nursing satisfaction and the incidence of adverse reaction of the two groups before and after the nursing. Results After the nursing,the scores of body function,emotional function,cognitive function,the role function,the social function and overall health of the research group were higher than those in the control group (P<0.05);the curative effect and nursing satisfaction of the research group was higher than the control group (P<0.05),and the incidence of adverse reaction was lower than the control group (P<0.05),all with statistically significances. Conclusion Orem self-care theory used in the esophageal cancer patients with radiation and chemotherapy can arouse the self care enthusiasm of patients,increase patient's confidence and their subjective initiative,and improve their quality of life.Meanwhile,it can reduce workload of nurses,thus reduction of medical resources waste can be achieved.