Objective: To summarize the advances on etiology

pathogenesis

treatment and experimental study applying traditional Chinese medicine on radiation esophagitis. And to explore the current problems and future trends about traditional Chinese medicine on radiation esophagitis study. Method: A computer-based onling search of CNKI and Wanfang databases was undertaken for the relevant literature published after 01-2006.The literature of core journals with Chinese languages was choosed as its main references. A total of 16 literatures were selected. Result: In clinical practice

the use of dialectical theory of governance

specific prescription for certain illness

injection of traditional Chinese medicine

integrated traditional chinese and western medicine

acupoint application and other therapies

can improve radiotherapy completion rates

clinical symptoms

patients' quality of life and so on. Experimental study found that Chinese herbs can inhibit the expression of mRNA such as COX-2

MMPs and IL-8

TGF-β1 and other proteins

then reduce radiation-induced pathological changes of esophageal injury. Conclusion: Chinese medicine prevention of the disease.Its symptoms can be reduced or even disappeared

allowing patients to complete radiation treatment

with a good prospect. However

the efficacy of current treatment methods and standards are not unified

so it still need to establish uniform treatment standards.It should be explored about radiation esophagitis on traditional Chinese medicine.