Chemoradiation and Panitumumab for Esophageal Cancer

Inclusion Criteria: * Histologically proven squamous cell carcinoma, adenocarcinoma or undifferentiated carcinoma of the intrathoracic esophagus or gastro esophageal junction * Surgical resectable (T2-3, N0-1, M0), as determined by Endoscopic Ultra Sound (EUS) and CT scan of neck, thorax and abdomen. * T1N1 tumors are eligible, T1N0 tumors and in situ carcinoma are not eligible * Tumor length longitudinal ≤ 10 cm and radial ≤ 5 cm * If tumor extends below the gastroesophageal (GE) junction into the proximal stomach, the bulk of the tumor must involve the esophagus or GE junction. The tumor must not extend more than 2 cm into the stomach. Gastric cancers with minor involvement of the GE junction or distal esophagus are not eligible * No invasion of the tracheobronchial tree or presence of tracheoesophageal fistula * Non pregnant, non-lactating female patients, not planning to become pregnant within 6 months after the end of treatment. * Age ≥ 18 and ≤ 75 * ECOG performance status 0 or 1 * Adequate hematological, renal, hepatic and pulmonary functions * Written, voluntary informed consent * Patients must be accessible to follow up and management in the treatment center Exclusion Criteria: * Past or current history of malignancy other than entry diagnosis except for non-melanomatous skin cancer, or curatively treated in situ carcinoma of the cervix, or malignancy more than 5 years prior to enrollment * Pregnancy (positive serum pregnancy test) and lactation * Patient (male or female) is not willing to use highly effective methods of contraception (per institutional standard) during treatment and for 6 months (male or female) after the end of treatment * Previous chemotherapy, radiotherapy, treatment with an anti-EGFR antibody or with small molecule EGFR inhibitors * Clinically significant cardiovascular disease (including myocardial infarction, unstable angina, symptomatic congestive heart failure, serious uncontrolled cardiac arrhythmia) ≤ 1 year before randomization * Pulmonary fibrosis * Pre-existing motor or sensory neurotoxicity greater than WHO grade 1 * Active infection or other serious underlying medical condition which would impair the ability of the patient to receive the planned treatment, including prior allergic reactions to drugs containing Cremophor, such as teniposide or cyclosporine. * Dementia or altered mental status that would prohibit the understanding and giving of informed consent * Inadequate caloric- and/or fluid intake * Weight loss \> 15%.