The structure of esophagus can be divided into three layers, which are mucosal layer, submucosal layer and muscular layer in order from inside to outside. Early-stage esophageal cancer, also known as superficial esophageal cancer, refers to cancer that is confined to the mucosal layer or only invades the submucosal layer and has not yet invaded the muscular layer, and there is no lymph node metastasis or distant metastasis. Since early stage esophageal cancer can be completely removed surgically, the operation is relatively easy and the surgical effect is good, the survival rate of 5 years after surgery can reach more than 90%, and even long-term survival. Therefore, it is very important to detect esophageal cancer early, that is, to make a diagnosis at the early stage of esophageal cancer. Early esophageal cancer has no obstruction to the lumen of the esophagus, but has some effect on the movement of the esophageal wall. Therefore, most of these patients have self-conscious symptoms of different degrees. Moreover, one patient can have one or several symptoms, which often appear intermittently and recurrently, and can be affected by many factors such as diet and emotion. These symptoms can last for several months or even two or three years or longer, and the general health condition is not affected. There are five main manifestations of early stage esophageal cancer as follows
Choking sensation when swallowing food. 50%-60% of patients with early stage esophageal cancer have this symptom. After this symptom appears, it can disappear on its own without treatment, but it can appear again after a period of time and gradually worsen. 2. Foreign body sensation in esophagus. 15-20% of patients feel a foreign body in the esophagus when swallowing. The site of foreign body sensation is mostly consistent with the cancerous site of esophageal wall. 3. Dryness and tightness in the throat. 30% of the patients often complain of dryness and tightness in the throat, or describe it as tightness in the neck and poor swallowing of food. 4. Slow passage of food and a feeling of retention. About 14% of the patients felt a slow downward movement or stagnation when swallowing food and passing the food mass through the esophagus. 5.
Pain or stuffy discomfort behind the sternum or pain under the glabella and epigastric region. Almost more than half of the patients have such symptoms. It is mainly dull pain or burning pain or pins and needles and pulling pain. The pain is more pronounced when swallowing rough food, hot food or irritating food, and less when eating liquid, semi-liquid or warm soft food and swallowing slowly. Most patients have pain when swallowing the first or second bite of food, and then it decreases and gradually disappears. The pain is usually mild at first, intermittent and short-lived, but progressively worse. If one or more of the above-mentioned symptoms appear, although some of them are due to other factors such as chronic pharyngitis, esophageal diverticulum, reflux esophagitis, etc., it is important to keep in mind that the pain can be relieved in the absence of a diagnosis. However, we must keep in mind that we should not take it lightly without thorough examination to exclude esophageal cancer, but should seek medical examination on the basis of suspicion or high suspicion of esophageal cancer, especially for those who are located in the high incidence area of esophageal cancer, aged 40 or above, or have had esophageal cancer patients in their family.