Irinotecan and Cisplatin in Treating Patients Who Are Undergoing Surgery For Locally Advanced Cancer of the Stomach or Gastroesophageal Junction

This phase II trial is studying how well giving irinotecan together with cisplatin works in treating patients who are undergoing surgical resection for locally advanced cancer of the stomach or gastroesophageal junction. Drugs used in chemotherapy, such as irinotecan and cisplatin, work in different ways to stop tumor cells from dividing so they stop growing or die. Combining more than one chemotherapy drug and giving them before surgery may shrink the tumor so that it can be removed during surgery.