Oesophageal Trial

INTERVENTION: 6 months of preoperative chemotherapy and radiotherapy followed by surgery vs surgery alone CONDITION: Oesophageal carcinoma PRIMARY OUTCOME: Overall survival Progression free survival SECONDARY OUTCOME: Toxicity INCLUSION CRITERIA: Histologically proven invasive squamous cell carcinoma or adenocarcinoma of the oesophagus.Technically resectable disease, as assessed in consultation with intended surgeon, with no planned post‐operative anti‐tumour treatment.No evidence of extrathoracic spread. (Tumour in supraclavicular and/or coeliac nodes renders patient ineligible.)Tumour is NOT located in cervical oesophagus requiring pharyngo‐oesophagectomy.Tumour is NOT predominantly below the oesophagogastric junction and involving the stomach. (i.e. Most of the macroscopically visible tumour must be above the O‐G junction and technically within the oesophagus.)Medically fit for surgical resection, defined as having adequate cardiopulmonary function and ECOG performance status of 0 or 1.Adequate haematological function, defined as having WBC > 4 x 109/litre and platelets > 100 x 109/litre.Adequate renal function, defined as creatinine clearance > 60 ml/min calculated (using Cockcroft & Gault formula ‐ see