A Phase II Trial of Proton Chemotherapy (PCT) for Resectable Esophageal or Esophagogastric Junction Cancer

Inclusion Criteria: * Pathologically confirmed primary squamous cell or adenocarcinoma of the esophagus that involves the mid, distal or esophagogastric junction. The cancer may involve the stomach up to 5 cm. * Endoscopy with biopsy * Stage T1N102, T2-3N0-2 according to the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) 7th edition staging, based upon the following minimum diagnostic work-up: History/physical examination with documentation of patient's weight within 30 days of registration Chest/Abdominal/Pelvic contrast CT within 56 days of registration Whole body PET/CT within 56 days of registration Endoscopic ultrasound Patients may have regional adenopathy including para-esophageal, gastric, gastroheptaic and celiac nodes. If celiac adenopathy present, it must be ≤ 2cm. Patients with tumors at the level of the carina or above should undergo bronchoscopy to exclude fistula Pulmonary function test (including routine spirometry and DLCO) within 60 days prior to registration Serum creatinine ≤ 2 x the upper limit of normal within 4 weeks of registration Na, K, BUN, Glucose within 4 weeks prior to registration CBC/differential within 4 weeks prior to registration with adequate bone marrow function, defined as follows: * Absolute neutrophil count (ANC) ≥ 1,500 cells/mm3 * Platelets ≥ 100,000 cell/mm3 * Hemoglobin ≥ 8.0 g/dl (Note: the use of transfusion or other intervention to achieve Hgb ≥ 8.0 is acceptable.) Adequate liver function, defined as total bilirubin ≤ 1.5 x upper limit of normal, AST ≤ 3 x the upper limit of normal within 4 weeks of registration Age ≥ 18 Zubrod performance status 0-2 within 4 weeks of registration Surgical consultation to confirm that patient will be able to undergo curative resection after completion of PCT prior to registration For women of childbearing potential, a negative serum pregnancy test within 14 days prior to registration Women of childbearing potential and male participants must practice adequate contraception while on study Patient must sign study specific informed consent prior to study entry Exclusion Criteria: Patients with cervical esophageal carcinoma Patients with T1N0 disease and T4 disease Prior radiation for esophageal cancer or prior chest radiotherapy Prior chemotherapy for esophageal cancer Evidence of tracheoesophageal fistula or invasion into the trachea or major bronchi Prior invasive malignancy (except non-melanomatous skin cancer), unless disease free for a minimum of 2 years ( e.g. carcinoma in situ of breast, oral cavity, or cervix are permissible) Prior radiotherapy that would results in overlap of radiation fields Medical contraindications to esophagectomy Prior allergic reaction to paclitaxel or carboplatin Severe, active co-morbidity that may impact survival Pregnancy, nursing women, or women of child bearing potential, and men who are sexually active and not willing/able to use medically acceptable forms of contraception \-