New combo therapy may let some esophageal cancer patients skip major surgery

This study tests whether giving chemotherapy plus immunotherapy before treatment can shrink esophageal tumors enough to remove them with an endoscope (a thin tube down the throat) instead of major surgery. About 60 adults with early-stage esophageal cancer will receive two or more cycles of the drug combination. If the tumor shrinks completely, doctors may remove it endoscopically, preserving the esophagus. The goal is to see if this approach is safe and feasible, reducing the need for esophagectomy.