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