In recent years, the incidence rate of esophageal cancer has continued to rise, and the incidence of esophageal cancer has obvious regional characteristics. The Hexi Corridor in Gansu Province belongs to the high incidence area of esophageal cancer, and half of the patients in Gansu Provincial Cancer Hospital come from these areas. The key to preventing and treating esophageal cancer lies in raising awareness, early detection, early diagnosis and early treatment. Typical case: Mr. Li, 63 years old, felt that there was a feeling of food sticking when he swallowed food half a year ago. This sensation came and went and lasted for two to three months. When he ate, he needed to use boiled water to send down his throat, and he occasionally had mild chest pain. Later, he vomited when eating rice because he could not swallow it. After Mr. Li went to the Provincial Cancer Hospital, the doctor found by X-ray that there was a narrowing in the middle part of the esophagus of about 6 cm in length. After fiberoptic gastroscopy and pathological examination, he was finally diagnosed as “low-differentiated squamous esophageal cancer”. Although Mr. Li’s esophageal cancer was not at an early stage, it had not metastasized yet, and he was able to solve his eating problem through surgical resection. After the surgery, Mr. Li’s condition was normal and he did not have any discomfort, and his follow-up examination one year later was normal. Causes and typical manifestations of esophageal cancer The incidence of esophageal cancer is related to poor dietary and living habits, chronic esophageal diseases and hereditary factors, etc. Those who are over 40 years old, have poor dietary habits and come from areas with high incidence of esophageal cancer, especially those who have a family history of esophageal cancer, belong to the high-risk group. Bad dietary habits mainly refer to eating hot, spicy, pickled and barbecued food, such as pickled sauces and salted vegetables in Hexi region, and pickled food often contains nitrosamines, which is a strong carcinogen. In addition, due to insufficient intake of animal protein, fresh fruits and vegetables, resulting in insufficient vitamins and trace elements, riboflavin and folic acid and other nutrients leading to low immunity, is also one of the reasons for the high incidence of esophageal cancer. “Progressive dysphagia” is a typical manifestation of esophageal cancer, with more men than women suffering from the disease. In the early stage of esophageal cancer, there are no other special sensations except mild or severe swallowing discomfort, stagnant eating, foreign body sensation, burning sensation at the back of the sternum, pin prick or pulling and rubbing pain, and in the later stage, only semi-fluid or fluids are allowed, so it is easy to be neglected in daily life. Choosing the most effective treatment The most effective treatment for esophageal cancer is mainly surgical resection, supplemented by radiotherapy and chemotherapy, and this treatment mode is widely recognized internationally. As long as the patients are physically fit and the cancer cells have not metastasized, surgical treatment is advocated. Through surgical treatment, the average 5-year survival rate of patients is 35%-40%, and for early esophageal cancer patients, the 5-year survival rate after surgery reaches more than 90%. About two weeks after surgery, most patients can return to normal diet. For middle and late-stage patients, radiotherapy can be carried out first to make the tumor shrink, and then surgery can be carried out. For old and weak patients with poor cardiopulmonary function who can not tolerate conventional open thoracic surgery, non-trans-thoracic extirpation can be performed, and satisfactory results can be achieved. For patients who are not suitable for surgery due to various reasons, radiotherapy or chemotherapy is used, especially for patients with cervical and upper esophageal cancer, radiotherapy has better effect. For those who are not suitable for surgery and cannot eat by mouth, stent placement and radiotherapy are feasible. At present, the high incidence rate of esophageal cancer has sounded a loud bell for people. For this reason, it is suggested that people should neither panic nor ignore the abnormal manifestations of their bodies, but go to regular hospitals for consultation as early as possible. Of course, to develop good living habits, correct bad diet, and prevent the disease before it occurs are our most advocated suggestions.