Objective To explore the postoperative hope level of patients with esophageal carcinoma and its influencing factors.Methods Based on the method of convenience sampling

180 patients with esophageal carcinoma who underwent surgical treatment in a Henan hospital during the period from November 2014 to November 2016 were included in this study.The Herth Hope Index（HHI）was used to assess the postoperative hope level of these patients.Meanwhile

the corresponding influencing factors were also analyzed.Results The overall postoperative hope score in these patients with esophageal carcinoma was 38.29±4.51;the sub-scale scores of " temporarility and future"

"positive readiness and expectancy"

and " interconnectedness" were12.58±1.59

12.67±1.57

and 12.88±1.59

respectively.The average family function score in these patients were 8.76±2.43

indicating good functioning.Correlation analysis showed that

family functioning was positively correlated with the overall postoperative hope score as well as its sub-scale scores in patients with esophageal carcinoma（P<0.05）.Univariate analysis revealed that

the overall postoperative hope score varied significantly with marital status

way of medical expense payment

average monthly household income

living condition

level of family support

and awareness level of the disease（all P<0.05）.Multivariate Logistic regression analysis indicated that

marital status

way of medical expense payment

average monthly household income

living condition

level of family support

and awareness level of the disease were the influencing factors of postoperative hope level（P<0.01）.Conclusion The postoperative hope score of patients with esophageal carcinoma was at a medium-to-high level.Effective measures should be taken to obtain external support

improve family functioning

and properly inform the patient of the diagnosis

which may further enhance the hope level of these patients.