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

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.

Timeline

Start

2004-09

Primary completion

—

Completion

2008-08

Publications

• Results Rao S, Oelschlager BK, Koh WJ, et al.: Phase I trial with weekly docetaxel, capecitabine and carboplatin followed by concomitant capecitabine and radiotherapy in patients with locally advanced esophageal cancer. [Abstract] American Society of Clinical Oncology 2008 Gastrointestinal Cancers Symposium, 25-27 January 2008, Orlando, FL. A-123, 2008.

Drugs

Indications