CancerCompass message board discussion started by ammadaeus on 2/11/2008 http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,20833,0.htm Tue, 02 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT Tue, 02 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://backend.userland.com/rss RSS.NET: http://www.rssdotnet.com/ I'm a 19 year old male. For the last month and a half I've had this weird itching/tingling/burning sensation under my right shoulderblade. It seems to peak a bit after meals or with heartburn. I do not have any other symptoms of esophageal cancer including pain or difficulty swallowing, no blood in my stool, ect.. My doctors (I've seen 4) have not came out with a diagnosis for me, but do not seem concerned. I've had a chest x-ray, an upper GI with barium, a CT scan and three blood tests that came back normal. Does this sound like esophageal cancer or something different? I was just wondering what someone with esophogeal cancer would experience first. I haven't been able to sleep at night for a month worried I have cancer. Thank you to anybody who has taken the time to read this, please respond. ammadaeus Mon, 11 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT My Dad has Stage 3 ES cancer.  He was being treated for acid reflux for a while. Then, it got to the point, that when he would eat, he said that it felt like the food would get stuck, and not go into his stomach.  At that point, the doctors did the scope to see what was going on.  Thats when they found the tumor at the end of his esop. at the opening of his stomach. Also, his blood work that he had done at the time of the scope, did not come back good.  Take care, and stay on top of things!  Hope this helps.   Need2Know Mon, 11 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT With the tests you've had and all normal results, I would not be worrying about cancer at 19. More likely you are stressing yourself out with the worry and making heartburn worse. My husband had 20+ years of pain under his shoulderblade but it was structural and not related to EC in anyway. He had heartburn and increasing chest pain for a few months with weight loss, and increased difficulty swallowing till only liquid could get by the growth.The weight loss and inability to swallow should have set off bells.You should find something more creative to do with your energy than worry about things like this at your age. Most 19 year olds still think they are invinceable and never going to die. You're young enough to go out and find a cure for all the rest of us. I don't mean to give you a hard time, but as the parent of a 22 year old wonder what could make you contemplate this at your age. I can't imagine my son the eternal optimist even entertaining something like that. In fact, he's thinking two years of grad school in Korea with a Dad who is a two year survivor so he obviously expects only the best!  Hope you figure out what's wrong so you can think about happier things than EC. tongrenhealer Mon, 11 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT Itching, burning and tingling usually means a nerve is involved, maybe coming from your neck.  Have you been lifting weights, etc.. My husband has, or with God's help, had EC and had none of your symptoms.  I feel you're way off base with worrying about that.   Hope this helps. Bugsbee Thu, 14 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT I'm a young woman of 30 who had some bad acid reflux aged 26 and I must admit I'm a bit concerned about whether I could have Barretts now, but it was only for a few months, and when I read how many women have it during pregnancy I don't think I should worry... but still it is a concern of mine.......... do you think younger people should be scoped if they do not have ongoing symptoms??What happens if you do have Barretts - do you have to eat only certain things and not drink? And do you have to take medication even if you have no more reflux?? rosie78 Fri, 18 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT