Cisplatin has modest activity in squamous cancer of the oesophagus but substantial toxicity limits its usefulness. Carboplatin (Paraplatin; BM Group), a second-generation platinum analogue, was developed to maintain the antitumour activity of cisplatin and reduce toxicity. Eleven patients with advanced oesophageal cancer were treated with carboplatin. A partial response was seen in 1 patient (9%) and minor responses in 2 cases. The median survival was 12 months in responding patients and 3 months in non-responders. One patient suffered reversible myelosuppression but nephrotoxicity and vomiting were not observed. Carboplatin is well tolerated and may have a role as a less toxic substitute for cisplatin in combination chemotherapy regimens for oesophageal cancer.