Esomeprazole and Radiation Induced Esophagitis

This study tests whether the heartburn drug esomeprazole (a proton pump inhibitor, commonly used to reduce stomach acid) can help prevent or reduce the painful throat inflammation (esophagitis) that often develops when people with lung cancer receive radiation to the chest along with chemotherapy. **You may be eligible if...** - You are 18 years old or older - You have been diagnosed with stage III non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) - You are about to receive chest radiation (at least 30 Gy to the esophagus) combined with chemotherapy - You are in reasonable overall health (ECOG 0–2) **You may NOT be eligible if...** - You have a history of stomach or esophageal junction cancer - You have a history of peptic ulcer disease or prior upper gastrointestinal bleeding - You have severe pre-existing difficulty swallowing - You have severe liver disease or kidney inflammation (interstitial nephritis) - You are currently taking certain medications that interact with esomeprazole (including clopidogrel, nelfinavir, rilpivirine, or phenytoin) - You have had chest radiation in the past 2 years Talk to your doctor to see if this trial is right for you.