How to distinguish the symptoms of esophageal cancer? For early stage esophageal cancer, it is difficult to distinguish because of atypical symptoms or no symptoms, but for middle and late stage esophageal cancer, the symptoms are more typical, so it is easier to distinguish, mainly through the following points: Firstly, progressive difficulty in swallowing, which is the main symptom of most patients at the time of consultation, but it is the manifestation of more advanced stage of the disease, as the inability to swallow solid food develops to the inability to swallow liquid food. Second, food reflux, because the proximal end of the esophageal obstruction is dilated and retained, food reflux can occur, and the reflux contains mucus mixed with persistent food can be bloody, or visible necrotic exfoliated tissue. Thirdly, pain in the throat, due to esophageal cancer, erosion, ulcer, external invasion or proximal manifestation with esophagitis, which is more obvious after eating due to hot food or acidic food, and the pain can involve the neck, shoulder, forehead and back. Fourthly, other symptoms, chronic dehydration, malnutrition, wasting and cachexia due to long-term insufficient intake, and enlargement of left supraclavicular lymph nodes, through which the identification of esophageal cancer can be made.