The primary objective is to determine the maximum tolerated dose of oral capecitabine, in combination with fixed doses of weekly docetaxel, and concurrent thoracic radiation for the treatment of patients with clinical stage II-III cancer of the esophagus and gastroesophageal junction.

This dose-ranging trial is designed to establish the phase II dose of capecitabine that can safely be given with docetaxel and radiation therapy for the treatment of patients with cancer of the esophagus and gastroesophageal junction. The docetaxel dose of 15 mg/m2/week, 5-fluorouracil dose of 200 mg/m2/week, and 50.4 Gy of thoracic radiation has been found to be the recommended doses from our initial phase I trial (DMS D9724). The Phase I study has been modified in an attempt to improve the pathological complete response rate by increasing the 5-fluorouracil exposure during thoracic radiation by replacing it with oral capecitabine. Capecitabine generates 5-fluorouracil selectively in tumor cells. This sequentially designed study of EUS staging, molecular analysis, neoadjuvant chemotherapy, concomitant chemotherapy and radiation, and surgical resection continues to expand our collaborative experience at Dartmouth Hitchcock in the treatment of cancer of the esophagus and gastroesophageal junction.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Esophageal or gastroesophageal junction cancer that is locally advanced and surgically resectable (stage II or III disease).
• No prior therapy.
• Adequate organ function.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Evidence of metastasis (celiac axis lymph nodes are allowed).
• Cervical esophageal tumors.
• Peripheral or auditory neuropathy grade >= 2.