Early stage Early cases have no difficulty in swallowing, but may have the sensation of choking on food in the throat, pain or burning sensation behind the sternum and foreign body sensation in the esophagus. Progressive stage The typical symptom of esophageal cancer is progressive dysphagia. Firstly, it is difficult to swallow dry food, then semi-liquid, and finally water and saliva cannot be swallowed, and the patient gradually loses weight and becomes dehydrated. Thirdly, in the late stage, patients show obvious emaciation, weakness, anemia and hypoproteinemia. If the laryngeal nerve is invaded, hoarseness may occur; if the intercostal nerve is invaded, continuous chest and back pain may occur; if the trachea is invaded, esophagotracheal fistula may be formed, choking and lung infection may occur; if the cancer invades the aorta, hemorrhage may occur. In addition, there may be enlarged supraclavicular lymph nodes, enlarged liver with chest and ascites, etc.