From Resection to Preservation: The Evolving Role of Robotic Surgery in Esophageal Cancer

As we strive to reduce the morbidity associated with esophageal cancer treatment, the landscape of surgical intervention has undergone a paradigm shift. Technology has enabled increasingly precise and patient-specific strategies, moving us beyond a one-size-fits-all approach. Today, surgical options range widely, integrating targeted lymphadenectomy, robotic-assisted endoscopy, and refined minimally invasive esophagectomy (MIE) techniques.
Novel neoadjuvant and adjuvant regimens are altering the indications for surgery itself, creating opportunities for esophageal preservation and more selective interventions. In this talk, I will explore how robotic platforms enhance surgical accuracy and lymph node dissection, how endoscopic-robotic hybrid approaches may redefine early cancer management, and how data-driven decision-making is reshaping our treatment algorithms.
By examining cases across this evolving spectrum, I aim to highlight the flexible and increasingly personalized role of robotic surgery in esophageal cancer. I will also reflect on the infrastructural and educational shifts required to support this evolution.