The current status and prospects of early diagnosis and treatment of esophageal cancer in China.

Esophageal cancer is a significant public health challenge in China, ranking sixth in incidence and fifth in mortality among cancers. Late diagnosis is common due to the lack of symptoms in early-stage cancer. Screening efforts have been focused on high-risk areas since 2005, primarily using endoscopy. Early detection through screening is crucial for improving patient survival rates and quality of life. Risk factors for esophageal cancer in China include smoking, alcohol consumption, poor oral hygiene, and certain dietary habits. Current screening methods include endoscopy, exfoliative cytology, and biomarker detection, but advanced technologies like artificial intelligence-assisted methods and new endoscopic techniques are being explored. These technologies have the potential to improve accuracy and efficiency in diagnosis, but their adoption is limited by cost and technical complexities. Continued development and implementation of advanced screening technologies are necessary to improve early detection rates and patient outcomes. [Extracted from the article]