Combination Chemotherapy and Radiation Therapy in Treating Patients Who Are Undergoing Surgery for Locally Advanced Esophageal Cancer

• Status: Completed
• Trial end date: 2008-08-01

Summary

RATIONALE: Drugs used in chemotherapy, such as docetaxel, carboplatin, and capecitabine, work in different ways to stop the growth of tumor cells, either by killing the cells or by stopping them from dividing. Giving more than one drug (combination chemotherapy) may kill more tumor cells. Radiation therapy uses high-energy x-rays to kill tumor cells. Capecitabine may also make tumor cells more sensitive to radiation therapy. Giving combination chemotherapy and radiation therapy before surgery may make the tumor smaller and reduce the amount of normal tissue that needs to be removed.

PURPOSE: This phase I trial is studying the side effects and best dose of docetaxel when given together with carboplatin and capecitabine followed by chemoradiotherapy in treating patients who are undergoing surgery for locally advanced esophageal cancer.

• Phase: Phase 1

Details

• Lead Sponsor: University of Washington
• Treatments: Capecitabine; Carboplatin; Docetaxel