What Are the Five Physical Warning Signs of Esophageal Cancer?
Jul 14, 2025
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Shen Yonghua
Introduction
Under normal circumstances, there is no standard set of five physical signals indicating the precancerous stage of esophageal cancer. Different individuals may present with varying symptoms. Generally, precancerous stages of esophageal cancer may manifest as a sensation of a foreign body when swallowing, dull pain behind the breastbone, a choking sensation during eating, dryness and tightness in the throat, slight weight loss, and other physical signs. If any abnormalities occur, timely medical consultation is recommended.
Generally speaking, there is no defined set of five physical signals indicating the pre-cancerous stage of esophageal cancer, as symptoms can vary among individuals. However, common signs of the pre-cancerous stage of esophageal cancer may include a sensation of food sticking in the esophagus, vague pain behind the breastbone, a choking feeling while eating, dryness and tightness in the throat, and slight weight loss. If any abnormalities occur, timely medical consultation is recommended. Detailed explanations are as follows:
1. Sensation of a foreign body when swallowing: During meals, there may be a feeling of food sticking or lingering at a certain part of the esophagus. The symptoms can vary in severity and are often more noticeable when swallowing dry or hard foods. In the early stages, this symptom may be mistaken for a throat discomfort and overlooked.
2. Vague pain behind the breastbone: Intermittent, mild pain may appear behind the breastbone, often occurring after eating. The pain might feel like burning, pricking, or pulling, and can ease after rest. It is easily confused with other types of chest discomfort.
3. Choking sensation while eating: Occasionally, there may be a choking sensation when swallowing food, especially noticeable when eating quickly or consuming harder foods. Symptoms may improve after swallowing slowly or drinking water, and they tend to recur and gradually become more frequent.
4. Dryness and tightness in the throat: A frequent feeling of dryness and tightness in the throat may occur, which may persist even after drinking water. This discomfort might worsen during swallowing, affecting the normal eating experience.
5. Slight weight loss: Due to discomfort during eating, reduced food intake or impaired digestion and absorption may lead to unexplained slight weight loss. Although the weight change might not be significant in the short term, it may show a continuous downward trend.
If any of the above signals appear, timely esophageal examinations at a hospital, such as gastroscopy or esophagoscopy, should be conducted for early detection of lesions. In daily life, it is important to reduce the consumption of excessively hot or hard foods, avoid long-term smoking and alcohol consumption, and lower the risk of esophageal damage.
