Chris L. Hallemeier, M.D.

The purpose of this study is to demonstrate non-inferiority of pCR with hypofractionated radiotherapy and concurrent FOLFOX compared to historical controls.

The purpose of this study is to determine the safety and effectiveness of 5 fraction stereotactic pencil beam scanning proton radiotherapy for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

The purpose of this study is to examine the incidence and distribution of new structural and functional abnormalities detected by stress cardiac MRI after chemoradiotherapy (CRT) for esophageal cancer.

The purpose of this study is to compare stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) to trans-arterial chemoembolization (TACE) as a bridging strategy for patients with HCC undergoing liver transplantation. We propose that SBRT will be associated with longer time intervals between initial treatment and the need for retreatment, compared to TACE, as a "bridge" to liver transplantation in subjects with HCC.

This is a prospective observational study designed to observe the toxicity and efficacy of PBS proton RT for patients with esophageal cancer undergoing trimodality therapy. The investigators hypothesize that PBS proton RT will be associated with a favorable adverse event profile and quality of life, with similar disease control outcomes, relative to historical comparisons of patients treated with photon RT.

The purpose of this study is to determine if the complete clinical response rate of patients with Stage I-IIIB (cT1-3, N0-1, M0) rectal cancer being treated with sequential short course radiotherapy followed by multi-drug chemotherapy is greater than 50%.

The purpose of this study is to evaluate how well proton beam radiation therapy compared with intensity modulated photon radiotherapy works in treating patients with stage I-IVA esophageal cancer. Proton beam radiation therapy uses a beam of protons (rather than x-rays) to send radiation inside the body to the tumor without damaging much of the healthy tissue around it. Intensity modulated photon radiotherapy uses high-energy x-rays to deliver radiation directly to the tumor without damaging much of the healthy tissue around it. It is not yet known whether proton beam therapy or intensity modulated photon radiotherapy will work better in treating patients with esophageal cancer.

RATIONALE: PET scans done during chemotherapy may help doctors assess a patient's response to treatment and help plan the best treatment.

PURPOSE: This randomized phase II trial is studying PET scan imaging in assessing response in patients with esophageal cancer receiving combination chemotherapy.