The early symptoms of esophageal cancer are not very typical. In the early stages, there may be discomfort, a sensation of blockage, or burning and pinching feelings during swallowing. There might also be pain behind the breastbone. Other atypical gastrointestinal symptoms can include acid reflux, heartburn, belching, hiccups, and vomiting. However, as esophageal cancer progresses, the most typical symptom becomes difficulty swallowing, obstruction, and the sensation that swallowed items cannot pass down, including severe cases where even drinking water feels obstructed and leads to vomiting.