Comparison of Esophagectomy and Chemoradiation for Patients With cN0-pT1b Stage Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma

This study is comparing two treatments — surgery (esophagectomy, removal of part of the esophagus) versus chemoradiation (chemotherapy combined with radiation) — for patients with early-stage esophageal cancer that has been confirmed by a minimally invasive procedure called endoscopic submucosal dissection. **You may be eligible if...** - You have biopsy-proven squamous cell cancer of the esophagus located in the chest - Imaging shows no spread to lymph nodes - The cancer is confirmed as stage T1b (invaded the inner wall but not the muscle) after endoscopic removal - You are between 18 and 75 years old - Your general health is good (ECOG performance status 0-1) **You may NOT be eligible if...** - You have already had prior treatment for this cancer before the endoscopic procedure - Your cancer has spread to distant parts of the body - Your tumor is larger than 5 cm in length on endoscopy - The tumor takes up more than three-quarters of the inner lining of the esophagus - You cannot give informed consent Talk to your doctor to see if this trial is right for you.