Objective: To study the relationship between family functioning and self-perceived burden of esophageal cancer patients. Methods: A total of 136 esophageal cancer patients were studied by the general information questionnaire, family care degree questionnaire and self-perceived burden scale. SPSS19.0 statistical software was used for data analysis. Results: The total score of family care degree questionnaire was（7.37±1.72）, which means moderate retardation; the total scare of self-perceived burden scale was（71.42±19.21）, which means heavy burden level. The correlation analysis showed that the family care degree and self-perceived burden were significantly negative correlated（P<0.05）. Conclusion: The family functioning and self-perceived burden of esophageal cancer patients need to be further enhanced, and nurses should pay more attention to them and offer personalized health education.