Inclusion Criteria:

- Histological verification of esophageal cancer

- Presence of T2,T3,T4 or any N1 (except M1)

- Clinically measurable lesions according to RECIST criteria

- Males and females, age >18 to 75 or older with WHO performance status 1

- No prior tumor therapy for esophageal cancer

- No other malignancy in history within 5 years before evaluation

- Performance status of 0-2 on ECOG scale

- Medical fitness (adequate for possible esophageal resection, adequate organ function:
see protocol)

- Signed informed consent

- Males and females with reproductive potential must use an approved contraceptive
method. Females with childbearing potential must have a negative serum pregnancy test
within 7 days prior to study enrollment.

Exclusion Criteria:

- Inoperability (technical or functional)

- Clinical stage cT1N0, any M1

- Treatment with any of the investigational drugs within the last 6 months

- Concurrent administration of any other tumor therapy

- Pregnancy, breast feeding

- Serious concomitant disorders that would compromise the safety of the patient or
ability to complete the study

- Second primary malignancy that is clinically detectable at the time of consideration
for study enrollment