My brother has stage 4 EC, and the first symptom he noticed was a lump in his neck where the cancer had invaded his lymph nodes. He says that when he thought about it later he realized he'd been having unusual heartburn and swallowing problems for some weeks prior, but it was all pretty subtle--not surprising, I guess, for someone who was then in his forties and fit as a fiddle.
Anyway, the lump was biopsied and found to be metastasized cancer, but even then it took a full body scan to discern that the source was somewhere in his GI tract--and an endoscopy to pinpoint the esophagus.

My first inkling that something wasn't right was the sensation of discomfort when I swallowed food. At first I thought it was GERD. It was a month before I went for an endoscopy and was shocked to learn of the tumor. Today is 3 months since my surgery.

I wish you brother the best of luck and add him to my prayer list.

My husband had chronic heartburn that developed into barretts and then EC. He had no symptoms (his heartburn was even subsiding) but the cancer was found through a routine scope.

My dad had difficulty swallowing for months before he went for a barium swallow. He said his throat felt tight.
He also complained that he felt drained.

After surgery, Barrett's esophagus was confirmed.

My sister didn't have any trouble swallowing food. However, when first beginning to eat a meal, she felt like the food would be stuck near her stomach. She would need to burp, etc. Then she would be O.K. and finish her meal. That's why she didn't suspect cancer. Both she and her gastroenterologist felt that she only needed her esophagus stretched. When they finally did the EGD, a tumor was found.

I'd had acid stomach problems since I was 12. Ulcer in college, 1963, and another in 2003. I went on Omaprazole after the 2003 ulcer.

July 2012, I noticed difficulty in swallowing at lunch one day. Wife said "You better go to the doctor!'

Barium swallow a week later started the diagnosis.

I had bad heartburn since high school.. One day I couldn't get my vitamins to go down. Went to the dr a few weeks later. An endoscopy found the tumor, I was 47. When they did surgery they found I had hiatal hernia. Didn't know I had it. I was very healthy. Went to dr once a year for checkup. Other than the heartburn that they put me on meds 2 years before the tumor was found, I had been fine. It was 5 years last week that I was diagnosed.

Heart attack-like episodes off and on for years - learned this was esophageal spasms. Feeling like piils occasionally got stuck down low. l had a somewhat rare "silent acid reflux" and never ever felt it until after the surgery. l've no idea how anyone can live with this year after year, Also a large hiatal hernia pressing the stomach sending acid into my esophagus.

What sent me to my family Dr. was food getting stuck as I ate. She sent me to a gastro Dr. who did a scope biopsy. Said I had Barrett's & biopsy came back cancer. I'd never heard about Barrett's & never knew much about the esophagus or that one could get cancer there. Obviously I learned a lot & quickly about EC! I dealt with acid reflux/heart burn off & on for a couple decades. Tums would give me instant relief, but guess overtime the indication of pain was letting me know there was damage going on. I was staged 3 & my dx was given end of June 2008. Always praying for a cure for cancer for everyone! Brenda

l got curious about the GERD support group, so joined it a while back and was astounded how many complained of the very same signs of EC, yet only talked about using meds like Prilosec, Tums, Nexium, etc. l wrote a really scary, detailed post describing the importance of getting scoped and what happens with EC. lt was a real eye-opener!

Dancing Grandma, I've been telling the GERD group my husband's story, too. This is definitely a group that needs to be educated.

My husband had weight loss - without trying. But, the thing that sent him to the doctor was having tri-tip feel like it wouldn't go down. I was taking care of my mom who was ill. When I came home and he told me about the tri-tip I instinctively knew he had cancer because of the weight loss. The first test was a regular endoscopy.

I think if there's any symptom at all an endoscopy should be done. It's always better to treat this aggressive cancer early.

I felt like food was getting stuck on the way down, waited 2 weeks then went to doc who thank god sent me for a scope, I realise now that I had pains that went across my chest and into my back for a long time off and on. also heartburn for years
I have just been diagnosed after scope, scan, pet scan, and broncho scope with t3 no mo. feel really lucky that it hasnt spread up to now.
I start my chemo next week and then surgery to remove most of the esophogus.
I am told I am coping with it all very well, others say I am still in shock and denial, all I can say is its here and has to be dealt with and no point in say why me?, why not me? there are people out there going through a damn sight worse than this.
I have alot to be grateful for and I focus on that and not the cancer, Its just some little gremlin who's ass I have to kick, and if it wins the fight well such is life.
think nice thoughs people and piss it off xxxxxxxxxxxxxx