Esophageal cancer is a common cancer among people in the world. The molecular mechanism of complement C1q tumor necrosis factor related protein 6 in esophageal cancer is still unclear. This article aimed to clarify the role of complement C1q tumor necrosis factor related protein 6 in esophageal cancer. The expression of complement C1q tumor necrosis factor related protein 6 in esophageal cancer tissues was detected using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blot. Furthermore, short hairpin ribonucleic acid was used to knockdown the expression of complement C1q tumor necrosis factor related protein 6 in esophageal cancer cell lines. 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide, wound healing assays and transwell assays were used to determine the role of complement C1q tumor necrosis factor related protein 6 in esophageal cancer cells. In our research, we found that the expression of complement C1q tumor necrosis factor related protein 6 was up-regulated in esophageal cancer tissues. The increased expression of complement C1q tumor necrosis factor related protein 6 was significantly correlated with tumor stage and lymph node metastasis. The proliferation and migration of esophageal cancer cells were inhibited after complement C1q tumor necrosis factor related protein 6-short hairpin ribonucleic acid transfection in vitro. These results suggested that complement C1q tumor necrosis factor related protein 6 serves as an oncogene and promotes cell proliferation and migration in esophageal cancer. In addition, complement C1q tumor necrosis factor related protein 6 may be a potential therapeutic target for esophageal cancer patients.