Advanced oesophageal cancer study to compare quality of life and palliation of dysphagia

Inclusion Criteria10

• Biopsy proven carcinoma of the Oesophagus
• Not a candidate for radical/curative treatment due to the advanced nature of the disease, presence of metastases, or intercurrent illness (it should be noted that, patients with mediastinal nodes and no more distant disease maybe suitable for radical treatment).
• Symptomatic patients with dysphagia scores of => 1 i.e. able to eat only some sollids (see appendix 1)
• Performance status Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) less than or equal to 2
• Patients msut begin treatment within 2 weeks of randomisation
• Patient is at least 18 years old
• Adequate haematology function to undergo chemotherapy Peripheral blood - Neutrophils > 1.5 x 109/L - Platelets > 100 x 109/L
• Adequate renal function, Creatine - Calculated clearence 50 ml/min (see appendix 1).
• Patients capable of child bearing are using adequate contraception.
• Written informed consent of patient.