The 5-year survival rate of early-stage esophageal cancer is over 90%, while the 5-year survival rate of mid- to late-stage esophageal cancer is 25% to 40%. Early diagnosis of esophageal cancer is the key. How to detect esophageal cancer in early stage? What are the symptoms of esophageal cancer? Early symptoms of esophageal cancer are not obvious. 1. Mild choking sensation, the feeling of slow downward movement of food and stagnation, which does not affect eating. 2.When the patient swallows food, the pain behind the sternum or under the raphe can be burning, stabbing or pulling, and it is mainly caused by swallowing hard, hot or irritating food. 3. A few patients only show post-sternal stuffiness and discomfort. Example: One of my old patients, Wang, 70 years old, came to the clinic with no obvious cause of retrosternal stuffiness and discomfort for 3 months, no dysphagia, no abnormalities in barium meal and CT, and esophagoscopy confirmed the diagnosis of early esophageal cancer, and radiation therapy was given. Now, 3 years after radiotherapy, he is still under follow-up and his condition is stable. 4.Cervical esophageal cancer may present with dryness and tightness in the throat. In chronic pharyngitis, foreign body sensation in the throat is obvious when it is quiet, and it is reduced or disappeared when eating; and there is no obstructive feeling when eating; while in esophageal cancer, there is foreign body sensation when swallowing and it is often accompanied with pain and burning sensation behind the sternum. Esophageal cancer advanced symptoms: progressive dysphagia and vomiting. When the cancer presses the laryngeal nerve, it may cause hoarseness; when it invades the trachea, it may cause coughing, and when it is complicated with esophage-tracheal fistula, it may cause choking cough. What kind of people (i.e. high-risk group) should go to hospital for relevant examination? Patients with choking sensation on eating, pain behind the sternum, fullness, foreign body sensation, and tightness in the neck. Those who have a family history of esophageal cancer or stomach cancer over 60 years old. Those who have bad habits such as excessive smoking, alcohol, hot food, spicy food, pickled food, etc.