Peng QY, Huang XP. Endoscopic and surgical management of early esophageal cancer: Current evidence and evolving oncologic strategies. World J Gastrointest Oncol 2026; 18(9): 120566 [DOI: 10.4251/wjgo.120566]
Corresponding Author of This Article
Xiao-Ping Huang, MD, PhD, Department of Oncology, Chongqing University Three Gorges Hospital, No. 165 Xincheng Road, Wanzhou District, Chongqing 404000, China. huangxiaoping2020@cqu.edu.cn
Research Domain of This Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
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review-article
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Peng QY, Huang XP. Endoscopic and surgical management of early esophageal cancer: Current evidence and evolving oncologic strategies. World J Gastrointest Oncol 2026; 18(9): 120566 [DOI: 10.4251/wjgo.120566]
World J Gastrointest Oncol. Sep 15, 2026; 18(9): 120566 Published online Sep 15, 2026. doi: 10.4251/wjgo.120566
Endoscopic and surgical management of early esophageal cancer: Current evidence and evolving oncologic strategies
Qi-Yu Peng, Xiao-Ping Huang
Qi-Yu Peng, Xiao-Ping Huang, Department of Oncology, Chongqing University Three Gorges Hospital, Chongqing 404000, China
Author contributions: Peng QY and Huang XP conceived and designed the study; Peng QY conducted the literature review and drafted the manuscript; Huang XP critically revised the manuscript for important intellectual content. Both authors approved the final version of the manuscript and agree to be accountable for all aspects of the work.
AI contribution statement: AI tools were used only for limited language polishing and proofreading. No AI tool was used to generate scientific content, design the study, analyze data, interpret results, generate images, or draw scientific conclusions.
Conflict-of-interest statement: All the authors report no relevant conflicts of interest for this article.
Corresponding author: Xiao-Ping Huang, MD, PhD, Department of Oncology, Chongqing University Three Gorges Hospital, No. 165 Xincheng Road, Wanzhou District, Chongqing 404000, China. huangxiaoping2020@cqu.edu.cn
Received: March 3, 2026 Revised: April 4, 2026 Accepted: May 29, 2026 Published online: September 15, 2026 Processing time: 177 Days and 2.1 Hours
Core Tip
Core Tip: Early esophageal cancer represents a stage at which curative treatment can be achieved with favorable long-term outcomes. While esophagectomy remains an established oncologic standard, it is associated with substantial morbidity. Growing evidence supports endoscopic resection, including endoscopic mucosal resection and endoscopic submucosal dissection, as effective organ preserving alternatives for carefully selected patients with low risk of lymph node metastasis. Accurate staging and multidisciplinary evaluation are essential to optimize treatment selection. This minireview highlights current evidence comparing endoscopic and surgical strategies and discusses evolving technologies that are reshaping the management paradigm for early esophageal cancer.
