Celecoxib to Prevent Cancer in Patients With Barrett's Esophagus

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: * Histologically confirmed Barrett's dysplasia with specific information on the location (level) of the highest grade of dysplasia based on biopsy from baseline endoscopy * Short segment Barrett's esophagus must be sufficient area to allow for biopsy without complete resection * No presence of reflux esophagitis grades 2-4 * No history of confirmed invasive carcinoma of the esophagus * No diagnosis of esophageal, gastric, pyloric channel, or duodenal ulceration of 1 cm or more in diameter within the past 30 days PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: * 18 and over Performance status: * ECOG 0-2 Life expectancy: * Not specified Hematopoietic: * Hemoglobin at least 9 g/dL * Platelet count greater than 125,000/mm\^3 * WBC greater than 3,000/mm\^3 * No significant bleeding disorder * No other abnormal hematopoietic laboratory test result that would preclude study Hepatic: * PT/PTT no greater than 1.5 times upper limit of normal (ULN) * AST/ALT less than 1.5 times ULN * Alkaline phosphatase less than 1.5 times ULN * No chronic or acute hepatic disorder * No abnormal hepatic laboratory test result that would preclude study Renal: * Creatinine no greater than 1.5 times ULN * No chronic or acute renal disorder * No other abnormal renal laboratory test result that would preclude study Other: * Not pregnant or nursing * Negative pregnancy test * Fertile patients must use effective contraception * No prior or concurrent active inflammatory bowel disease (e.g., Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis) * No other prior or concurrent curatively treated malignancy with a survival prognosis of less than 5 years * No hypersensitivity or adverse reaction to COX-2 inhibitors (e.g., celecoxib), sulfonamides, salicylates, or NSAIDs * No other significant medical, psychological, or psychosocial condition that would preclude study participation PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: * Not specified Chemotherapy: * Not specified Endocrine therapy: * At least 6 months since prior regular (at least 2 weeks duration) oral or intravenous corticosteroids * At least 6 months since prior regular (at least 4 weeks duration) inhaled corticosteroids * No concurrent regular oral or intravenous corticosteroids * No concurrent regular inhaled corticosteroids * Concurrent corticosteroid nasal spray allowed Radiotherapy: * At least 12 weeks since prior radiotherapy to the chest or upper abdomen Surgery: * At least 3 months since prior surgery to the esophagus or stomach except hiatal hernia repair, fundoplication, vagotomy, or pyloroplasty * No prior complete mucosal resection using any technique * No concurrent resection of high-grade nodule Other: * At least 30 days since prior chronic (at least 3 times a week for greater than 2 weeks) aspirin or other nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) (i.e., greater than 100 mg/day) * No prior complete mucosal ablation using any technique * No prior treatment on this study * At least 30 days since prior investigational medication including shingles vaccine * No concurrent chronic NSAIDs or COX-2 inhibitors except low-dose aspirin (i.e., no greater than 100 mg/day) * No concurrent anticoagulants (e.g., heparin or warfarin) * No other concurrent investigational medication