Difficulty in swallowing is the most common symptom of esophageal cancer, with about 87.29% of patients with esophageal cancer having dysphagia as their first symptom. However, dysphagia is not unique to esophageal cancer; it is present in chronic pharyngitis, esophagitis, esophageal diverticula, esophageal varices, and cardia loss.
Particular attention should be paid to the following high-risk groups if they develop dysphagia and promptly seek medical examination:
- Long-term residence in areas with a high incidence of esophageal squamous carcinoma (including Taihang Mountains in North China, Linzhou in Henan, Magxian in Hebei, Yangcheng in Shanxi, etc., as well as the Qinling Mountains region in Shaanxi, Henan and Anhui, and the Dabie Mountains in EYU);
- History of squamous esophageal cancer in first-degree relatives;
- History of previous esophageal lesions (e.g., gastroesophageal reflux disease, atypical hyperplasia of esophageal mucosa, etc.);
- History of my own cancer;
- A long history of smoking;
- History of long-term alcohol consumption;
- People who have bad eating habits, such as fast eating, love of hot and scalding diet, high salt diet, and love of pickles.
Co-written by Dr. Xinliang Zhou, Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University