Microbiome changes in esophageal cancer:implications for pathogenesis and prognosis

Esophageal cancer(EC)is an aggressive malignancy with a poor prognosis.Various factors,including dietary habits,and antacid and antibiotic use,have been shown to influence the esophageal microbiome.Conversely,enrichment and diversity of the esophageal microbiome can also impact its function.Recent studies have revealed prevalent changes in the esophageal microbiome among patients with EC,thus suggesting the potential contribution of the esophageal microbiome to EC development.Additionally,distinct microbiome compositions have been observed in patients with different responses to radiotherapy and chemotherapy,indicating the role of the esophageal microbiome in modulating treatment outcomes.In this review,we have examined previous studies on the esophageal microbiome in healthy individuals and patients with EC or other esophageal diseases,with a focus on identifying microbial communities associated with EC pathogenesis and prognosis.Understanding the role of the microbiome in EC may aid in early detection and optimized treatment strategies,ultimately leading to better outcomes for patients.

Immunotherapy for esophageal cancer:Where are we now and where can we go

Immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy has dramatically improved patient prognosis,and thereby transformed the treatment in various cancer types including esophageal squamous cell carcinoma(ESCC)in the past decade.Monoclonal antibodies that selectively inhibit programmed cell death-1(PD-1)activity has now become standard of care in the treatment of ESCC in metastatic settings,and has a high expectation to provide clinical benefit during perioperative period.Further,anti-cytotoxic T-lymphocyte–associated protein 4(CTLA-4)monoclonal antibody has also been approved in the treatment of recurrent/metastatic ESCC in combination with anti-PD-1 antibody.Well understanding of the existing evidence of immune-based treatments for ESCC,as well as recent clinical trials on various combinations with chemotherapy for different clinical settings including neoadjuvant,adjuvant,and metastatic diseases,may provide future prospects of ESCC treatment for better patient outcomes.

Esophageal cancer screening,early detection and treatment:Current insights and future directions

Esophageal cancer ranks among the most prevalent malignant tumors globally,primarily due to its highly aggressive nature and poor survival rates.According to the 2020 global cancer statistics,there were approximately 604000 new cases of esophageal cancer,resulting in 544000 deaths.The 5-year survival rate hovers around a mere 15%-25%.Notably,distinct variations exist in the risk factors associated with the two primary histological types,influencing their worldwide incidence and distribution.Squamous cell carcinoma displays a high incidence in specific regions,such as certain areas in China,where it meets the cost-effect-iveness criteria for widespread endoscopy-based early diagnosis within the local population.Conversely,adenocarcinoma(EAC)represents the most common histological subtype of esophageal cancer in Europe and the United States.The role of early diagnosis in cases of EAC originating from Barrett's esophagus(BE)remains a subject of controversy.The effectiveness of early detection for EAC,particularly those arising from BE,continues to be a debated topic.The variations in how early-stage esophageal carcinoma is treated in different regions are largely due to the differing rates of early-stage cancer diagnoses.In areas with higher incidences,such as China and Japan,early diagnosis is more common,which has led to the advancement of endoscopic methods as definitive treatments.These techniques have demonstrated remarkable efficacy with minimal complications while preserving esophageal functionality.Early screening,prompt diagnosis,and timely treatment are key strategies that can significantly lower both the occurrence and death rates associated with esophageal cancer.

Lipid metabolism analysis in esophageal cancer and associated drug discovery

Esophageal cancer is an upper gastrointestinal malignancy with a bleak prognosis.It is still being explored in depth due to its complex molecular mechanisms of occurrence and development.Lipids play a crucial role in cells by participating in energy supply,biofilm formation,and signal transduction processes,and lipid metabolic reprogramming also constitutes a significant characteristic of malignant tumors.More and more studies have found esophageal cancer has obvious lipid metabolism abnormalities throughout its beginning,progress,and treatment resistance.The inhibition of tumor growth and the enhancement of antitumor therapy efficacy can be achieved through the regulation of lipid metabolism.Therefore,we reviewed and analyzed the research results and latest findings for lipid metabolism and associated analysis techniques in esophageal cancer,and comprehensively proved the value of lipid metabolic reprogramming in the evolution and treatment resistance of esophageal cancer,as well as its significance in exploring potential therapeutic targets and biomarkers.

Plant-based dietary patterns and risk of esophageal cancer:A prospective cohort study spanning 17 years

Objective: Plant-based diets have multiple health benefits for cancers;however, little is known about the association between plant-based dietary patterns and esophageal cancer(EC).This study presents an investigation of the prospective associations among three predefined indices of plant-based dietary patterns and the risk of EC.Methods: We performed endoscopic screening for 15,709 participants aged 40-69 years from two high-risk areas of China from January 2005 to December 2009 and followed the cohort until December 31, 2022. The overall plant-based diet index(PDI), healthful plant-based diet index(h PDI), and unhealthful plant-based diet index(u PDI), were calculated using survey responses to assess dietary patterns. We applied Cox proportional hazard regression to estimate the multivariable hazard ratios(HRs) and 95% confidence intervals(95% CIs) of EC across 3plant-based diet indices and further stratified the analysis by subgroups.Results: The final study sample included 15,184 participants in the cohort. During a follow-up of 219,365person-years, 176 patients with EC were identified. When the highest quartile was compared with the lowest quartile, the pooled multivariable-adjusted HR of EC was 0.50(95% CI, 0.32-0.77) for h PDI. In addition, the HR per 10-point increase in the h PDI score was 0.42(95% CI, 0.27-0.66) for ECs. Conversely, u PDI was positively associated with the risk of EC, and the HR was 1.80(95% CI, 1.16-2.82). The HR per 10-point increase in the u PDI score was 1.90(95% CI, 1.26-2.88) for ECs. The associations between these scores and the risk of EC were consistent in most subgroups. These results remained robust in sensitivity analyses.Conclusions: A healthy plant-based dietary pattern was associated with a reduced risk of EC. Emphasizing the healthiness and quality of plant-based diets may be important for preventing the development of EC.

Mechanisms of tumor immunosuppressive microenvironment formation in esophageal cancer

As a highly invasive malignancy,esophageal cancer(EC)is a global health issue,and was the eighth most prevalent cancer and the sixth leading cause of cancerrelated death worldwide in 2020.Due to its highly immunogenic nature,emerging immunotherapy approaches,such as immune checkpoint blockade,have demonstrated promising efficacy in treating EC;however,certain limitations and challenges still exist.In addition,tumors may exhibit primary or acquired resistance to immunotherapy in the tumor immune microenvironment(TIME);thus,understanding the TIME is urgent and crucial,especially given the importance of an immunosuppressive microenvironment in tumor progression.The aim of this review was to better elucidate the mechanisms of the suppressive TIME,including cell infiltration,immune cell subsets,cytokines and signaling pathways in the tumor microenvironment of EC patients,as well as the downregulated expression of major histocompatibility complex molecules in tumor cells,to obtain a better understanding of the differences in EC patient responses to immunotherapeutic strategies and accurately predict the efficacy of immunotherapies.Therefore,personalized treatments could be developed to maximize the advantages of immunotherapy.

Esophageal cancer global burden profiles, trends, and contributors

Objective:This study aimed to provide a comprehensive overview of the global burden of esophageal cancer(EC)and determine the temporal trends and factors influencing changes in the global burden.Methods:The latest incidence and mortality data for EC worldwide were obtained from GLOBALCAN 2022.The mortality and disability-adjusted life years(DALYs)rates for EC from 1990±2019 were sourced from the 2019 Global Burden of Diseases.Trends in EC mortality and DALYs attributable to 11 risk factors or clusters of risk were analyzed using the joinpoint regression model.The trends in age-related EC burden were assessed using a decomposition approach.Results:An estimated 511,054 new cases of EC were diagnosed in 2022 with 445,391 deaths worldwide.Approximately 75%of cases and deaths occurred in Asia.Nearly 50%of global EC deaths and DALYs were attributed to tobacco use in men in 2019,while 20%were attributed to high body mass index(BMI)in women.From 1990±2019,EC deaths and DALYs attributable to almost all risk factors had declining trends,while EC deaths and DALYs attributed to high BMI in men had upward trends.The age-related EC burden exhibited an upward trend driven by population growth and aging,which contributed to 307.4 thousand deaths and 7.2 million DALYs due to EC.Conclusions:The EC burden remains substantial worldwide.Effective tobacco and obesity control measures are critical for addressing the risk-attributable burden of EC.Population growth and aging pose challenges for EC prevention and control efforts.

Effects of neoadjuvant chemotherapy vs chemoradiotherapy in the treatment of esophageal adenocarcinoma:A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND Neoadjuvant therapy is an essential modality for reducing the clinical stage of esophageal cancer;however,the superiority of neoadjuvant chemotherapy(nCT)or neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy(nCRT)is unclear.Therefore,a discussion of these two modalities is necessary.AIM To investigate the benefits and complications of neoadjuvant modalities.METHODS To address this concern,predefined criteria were established using the PICO protocol.Two independent authors performed comprehensive searches using predetermined keywords.Statistical analyses were performed to identify significant differences between groups.Potential publication bias was visualized using funnel plots.The quality of the data was evaluated using the Risk of Bias Tool 2(RoB2)and the GRADE approach.RESULTS Ten articles,including 1928 patients,were included for the analysis.Significant difference was detected in pathological complete response(pCR)[P<0.001;odds ratio(OR):0.27;95%CI:0.16-0.46],30-d mortality(P=0.015;OR:0.4;95%CI:0.22-0.71)favoring the nCRT,and renal failure(P=0.039;OR:1.04;95%CI:0.66-1.64)favoring the nCT.No significant differences were observed in terms of survival,local or distal recurrence,or other clinical or surgical complications.The result of RoB2 was moderate,and that of the GRADE approach was low or very low in almost all cases.CONCLUSION Although nCRT may have a higher pCR rate,it does not translate to greater long-term survival.Moreover,nCRT is associated with higher 30-d mortality,although the specific cause for postoperative complications could not be identified.In the case of nCT,toxic side effects are suspected,which can reduce the quality of life.Given the quality of available studies,further randomized trials are required.

Is Helicobacter pylori infection protective against esophageal cancer?

Helicobacter pylori(H.pylori)infection affects a substantial proportion of the global population and causes various gastric disorders,including gastric cancer.Recent studies have found an inverse relationship between H.pylori infection and eso-phageal cancer(EC),suggesting a protective role against EC.This editorial focuses on the possible mechanisms underlying the role of H.pylori infection in EC and explores the role of gut microbiota in esophageal carcinogenesis and the prac-ticality of H.pylori eradication.EC has two major subtypes:Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma(ESCC)and esophageal adenocarcinoma(EAC),which have different etiologies and risk factors.Gut microbiota can contribute to EC via inflammation-induced carcinogenesis,immunomodulation,lactagenesis,and genotoxin production.H.pylori infection is said to be inversely related to EAC,protecting against EAC by inducing atrophic gastritis,altering serum ghrelin levels,and triggering cancer cell apoptosis.Though H.pylori infection has no significant association with ESCC,COX-2-1195 polymorphisms and endogenous nitrosamine production can impact the risk of ESCC in H.pylori-infected in-dividuals.There are concerns regarding a plausible increase in EC after H.pylori eradication treatments.However,H.pylori eradication is not associated with an increased risk of EC,making it safe from an EC perspective.

Should we pay more attention to the potential link between Helicobacter pylori and esophageal cancer in Asian countries

The presence of Helicobacter pylori(H.pylori)infection has been indicated to have a protective influence on esophageal cancer(EC)in some studies,but its specific impact on the risk of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma and esophageal adenocarcinoma remains inconclusive.This manuscript comment addresses the recent study by López-Gómez et al.Despite it was a retrospective observational study without a control group,this study revealed a notably low prevalence of H.pylori infection among EC patients,indicating a potential association between H.pylori and EC in Spain.It is important to note that the relationship between H.pylori and the risk of EC varies geographically.We also conducted a metaanalysis focusing on this association in Asian populations to offer precise clinical insights.However,no significant correlation between H.pylori infection and EC was identified,suggesting that the perceived protective effect of H.pylori against EC may have been overestimated in the Asian population.

Amlodipine inhibits the proliferation and migration of esophageal carcinoma cells through the induction of endoplasmic reticulum stress

BACKGROUND L-type calcium channels are the only protein channels sensitive to calcium channel blockers,and are expressed in various cancer types.The Cancer Genome Atlas database shows that the mRNA levels of multiple L-type calcium channel subunits in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma tumor tissue are significantly higher than those in normal esophageal epithelial tissue.Therefore,we hypothesized that amlodipine,a long-acting dihydropyridine L-type calcium channel blocker,may inhibit the occurrence and development of esophageal cancer(EC).AIM To investigate the inhibitory effects of amlodipine on EC through endoplasmic reticulum(ER)stress.METHODS Cav1.3 protein expression levels in 50 pairs of EC tissues and corresponding paracancerous tissues were examined.Subsequently,the inhibitory effects of amlodipine on proliferation and migration of EC cells in vitro were detected using 3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyl-2-H-tetrazolium bromide and Transwell assays.In vivo experiments were performed using murine xenograft model.To elucidate the underlying mechanisms,in vitro cell studies were performed to confirm that ER stress plays a role in inhibition proliferation and migration of EC cells treated with amlodipine.RESULTS The expression level of Cav1.3 in esophageal carcinoma was 1.6 times higher than that in paracancerous tissues.Amlodipine treatment decreased the viability of esophageal carcinoma cells in a dose-and time-dependent manner.In vivo animal experiments also clearly indicated that amlodipine inhibited the growth of EC tumors in mice.Additionally,amlodipine reduces the migration of tumor cells by inhibiting epithelial-mesenchymal transition(EMT).Mechanistic studies have demonstrated that amlodipine induces ER stress-mediated apoptosis and suppresses EMT.Moreover,amlodipine-induced autophagy was characterized by an increase in autophagy lysosomes and the accumulation of light chain 3B protein.The combination of amlodipine with the ER stress inhibitor 4-phenylbutyric acid further confirmed the role of the ER stress response in amlodipine-induced apoptosis,EMT,and autophagy.Furthermore,blocking autophagy increases the ratio of apoptosis and migration.CONCLUSION Collectively,we demonstrate for the first time that amlodipine promotes apoptosis,induces autophagy,and inhibits migration through ER stress,thereby exerting anti-tumor effects in EC.

Nomograms and prognosis for superficial esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

In recent years,endoscopic resection,particularly endoscopic submucosal dis-section,has become increasingly popular in treating non-metastatic superficial esophageal squamous cell carcinoma(ESCC).In this evolving paradigm,it is crucial to identify factors that predict higher rates of lymphatic invasion and poorer outcomes.Larger tumor size,deeper invasion,poorer differentiation,more infiltrative growth patterns(INF-c),higher-grade tumor budding,positive lymphovascular invasion,and certain biomarkers have been associated with lymph node metastasis and increased morbidity through retrospective reviews,leading to the construction of comprehensive nomograms for outcome prediction.If validated by future prospective studies,these nomograms would prove highly applicable in guiding the selection of treatment for superficial ESCC.

Circ_0003855 involvement of esophageal cancer progression through miR-622/FLOT1

To confirm the relationship between Circ_0003855 and EC,we purchased the Human esophageal carcinoma cell line Eca109 and normal human esophageal epithelial cells HEEC,and the expression levels of Circ_0003855,miR-622,and FLOT1 were detected.The results show that Circ_0003855 and FLOT1 were highly expressed in Eca109 cells,while miR-622 was lowly expressed(p<0.05).Subsequently,Circ_0003855 small interfering RNA(si-Circ_0003855)and its negative control(si-NC)were used to detect changes in cellular biological behaviors.We found that the activity of Eca109 cells was reduced after interfering with the expression of Circ_0003855,and miR-622 expression was elevated,while FLOT1 was decreased(p<0.05).Additionally,si-Circ_0003855 and miR-622 inhibitor sequence(miR-622-inhibition)were co-transfected into cells with miR-622-inhibition alone,and untreated Eca109 cells were used as a control to detect the expression of FLOT1.Co-transfection of si-Circ_0003855 and miR-622-inhibition showed no significant difference in FLOT1 expression compared to the control cells(p>0.05).Synthesizing the results of these experiments above,we believe that interfering with the expression of Circ_0003855 can inhibit the activity of EC cells,and its mechanism is related to miR-622 and FLOT1.

Rapid progress of an iris metastasis from esophageal cancer:a case report and review of literature

This case report details a rare instance of rapid iris metastasis from esophageal cancer in a 59-year-old man.A literature review was conducted to explore recent advances in detecting,diagnosing,and treating intraocular metastatic malignancies.Positron emission tomographycomputed tomography played a crucial role in identifying primary sites and systemic metastases.Local treatment combined with systemic therapy effectively reduced tumor size,preserved useful vision,and improved the patient’s survival rate.A comparison was made of the characteristics of iris metastases from esophageal cancer and lung cancer,including age,gender,tumor characteristics,and treatment.The challenges associated with diagnosis and treatment are discussed,highlighting the implications for clinical practice.

Application of neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy and neoadjuvant chemotherapy in curative surgery for esophageal cancer:A metaanalysis

BACKGROUND The effectiveness of neoadjuvant therapy in esophageal cancer(EC)treatment is still a subject of debate.AIM To compare the clinical efficacy and toxic side effects between neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy(nCRT)and neoadjuvant chemotherapy(nCT)for locally advanced EC(LAEC).METHODS A comprehensive search was conducted using multiple databases,including PubMed,EMBASE,MEDLINE,Science Direct,The Cochrane Library,China National Knowledge Infrastructure,Wanfang Database,Chinese Science and Technology Journal Database,and Chinese Biomedical Literature Database Article.Studies up to December 2022 comparing nCRT and nCT in patients with EC were selected.RESULTS The analysis revealed significant differences between nCRT and nCT in terms of disease-free survival.The results indicated that nCRT provided better outcomes in terms of the 3-year overall survival rate(OSR)[odds ratio(OR)=0.95],complete response rate(OR=3.15),and R0 clearance rate(CR)(OR=2.25).However,nCT demonstrated a better 5-year OSR(OR=1.02)than nCRT.Moreover,when compared to nCRT,nCT showed reduced risks of cardiac complications(OR=1.15)and pulmonary complications(OR=1.30).CONCLUSION Overall,both nCRT and nCT were effective in terms of survival outcomes for LAEC.However,nCT exhibited better performance in terms of postoperative complications.

Prognosis of radiotherapy for esophageal cancer in elderly patients exceeding seventy-five years old

BACKGROUND Esophageal cancer(EC)often occurs in the elderly,with approximately 33%of patients aged≥75 years at the time of diagnosis.AIM To evaluate the prognostic factors for radiotherapy(RT)in elderly patients with unresectable EC.METHODS We retrospectively analyzed the clinical characteristics,toxic reactions,and survival information of EC patients aged≥75 years who underwent intensity-modulated RT at Lu’an Hospital of Anhui Medical University between January 2016 and September 2023.Kaplan-Meier analysis was used to draw the overall survival(OS)curves,and Cox regression analysis was employed to evaluate the influence of various clinical factors on the prognosis.RESULTS A total of 139 patients were enrolled.The median follow-up time was 52.0 months.The median OS was 20.0 months.The 1-year,2-year,3-year,and 5-year OS rates were 69.8%,38.7%,28.2%,and 17.5%,respectively.Univariate analysis showed that age,radiation dose,and chemotherapy had no significant impact on prognosis.Multivariate analysis indicated that clinical stage[Ⅲ-Ⅳa vsⅠ-Ⅱ,hazard ratio(HR)=2.421,95%confidence interval(CI):1.242-4.718,P=0.009;IVb vsⅠ-Ⅱ,HR=4.222,95%CI:1.888-9.438,P<0.001),Charlson comorbidity index(CCI)(0 vs≥1,HR=1.539,95%CI:1.015-2.332,P=0.042),and nutritional risk screening 2002(NRS2002)(<3 vs≥3,HR=2.491,95%CI:1.601-3.875,P<0.001)were independent prognostic factors for OS.CONCLUSION Our results suggest that CCI and NRS2002 were independent prognostic factors of OS for unresectable elderly EC patients undergoing RT.For elderly patients with EC,full attention should be given to biological age-related indicators,such as comorbidities and nutrition,when formulating treatment protocols.These factors should be considered in future clinical practice.

Early diagnosis of esophageal cancer:How to put“early detection”into effect?

This editorial comments on the article by Qu et al in a recent edition of World Journal of Gastrointestinal Oncology,focusing on the importance of early diagnosis in managing esophageal cancer and strategies for achieving“early detection”.The five-year age-standardized net survival for esophageal cancer patients falls short of expectations.Early detection and accurate diagnosis are critical strategies for improving the treatment outcomes of esophageal cancer.While advancements in endoscopic technology have been significant,there seems to be an excessive emphasis on the latest high-end endoscopic devices and various endoscopic resection techniques.Therefore,it is imperative to redirect focus towards proactive early detection strategies for esophageal cancer,investigate the most cost-effective screening methods suitable for different regions,and persistently explore practical solutions to improve the five-year survival rate of patients with esophageal cancer.

The clinical application and advancement of robot-assisted McKeown minimally invasive esophagectomy for esophageal cancer

Robotic surgery systems,as emerging minimally invasive approaches,have been increasingly applied for the treatment of esophageal cancer because they provide a high-definition three-dimensional surgical view and mechanical rotating arms that surpass the limitations of human hands,greatly enhancing the accuracy and flexibility of surgical methods.Robot-assisted McKeown esophagectomy(RAME),a common type of robotic esophagectomy,has been gradually implemented with the aim of reducing postoperative complications,improving postoperative recovery and achieving better long-term survival.Multiple centers worldwide have reported and summarized their experiences with the RAME,and some have also discussed and analyzed its perioperative effects and survival prognosis compared with those of video-assisted minimally invasive esophagectomy.Compared to traditional surgery,the RAME has significant advantages in terms of lymph node dissection although there seems to be no difference in overall survival or disease-free survival.With the continuous advancement of technology and the development of robotic technology,further development and innovation are expected in the RAME field.This review elaborates on the prospects of the application and advancement of the RAME to provide a useful reference for clinical practice.

Anal metastasis in esophageal cancer:A case report

BACKGROUND Esophageal cancer is the sixth leading cause of cancer-related death and eighth most common cancer,affecting>450000 people worldwide.Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma is the most common histological type,whereas esophageal adenoid cystic carcinoma(EACC)is rare.The liver is the most common distant metastatic site in esophageal cancer.Anal metastasis is rare and has not been reported in clinical practice before.Here,we report anal metastases in a patient with EACC after regular chemotherapy and surgical resection.CASE SUMMARY A 61-year-old esophageal cancer patient was found to have lung and brain metastases during standardized treatment.The patient’s treatment plan was continuously adjusted according to the latest treatment guidelines.However,the patient subsequently noticed rectal bleeding and itching,and after obtaining pathology results at the local hospital,anal metastasis of esophageal cancer was diagnosed.CONCLUSION Postoperative pathology and immunohistochemistry confirmed EACC with rare anal metastasis.More exploration of EACC diagnosis and treatment is needed.

Efficacy and prognostic analysis of carbon nanotracers combined with the da Vinci robot in the treatment of esophageal cancer

BACKGROUND Traditional methods cannot clearly visualize esophageal cancer(EC)tumor contours and metastases,which limits the clinical application of da Vinci robotassisted surgery.AIM To investigate the efficacy of the da Vinci robot in combination with nanocarbon lymph node tracers in radical surgery of EC.METHODS In total,104 patients with early-stage EC who were admitted to Liuzhou worker's Hospital from January 2020 to June 2023 were enrolled.The patients were assigned to an observation group(n=52),which underwent da Vinci robot-assisted minimally invasive esophagectomy(RAMIE)with the intraoperative use of nanocarbon tracers,and a control group(n=52),which underwent traditional surgery treatment.The operation time,intraoperative blood loss,postoperative drainage tube indwelling time,hospital stay,number of lymph nodes dissected,incidence of complications,and long-term curative effects were comparatively analyzed.The postoperative stress response C-reactive protein(CRP),cortisol,epinephrine(E)and inflammatory response interleukin(IL)-6,IL-8,IL-10,and tumor necrosis factor-alpha(TNF-α)were evaluated.RESULTS Compared with the control group,the observation group had significantly lower postoperative CRP,cortisol,and E levels(P<0.05)with a milder inflammatory response,as indicated by lower IL-6,IL-10,and TNF-αlevels(P<0.05).Patients who underwent RAMIE had less intraoperative blood loss and shorter operation times and hospital stays than those who underwent traditional surgery.The average number of dissected lymph nodes,time of lymph node dissection,and mean smallest lymph node diameter were all significantly lower in the observation group(P<0.05).The rate of postoperative complications was 5.77%in the observation group,significantly lower than the 15.38%observed in the control group.Furthermore,the lymphatic metastasis rate,reoperation rate,and 12-and 24-month cumulative mortality in the observation group were 1.92%,0%,0%,and 0%,respectively,all of which were significantly lower than those in the control group(P<0.05).CONCLUSION The treatment of EC using the da Vinci robot combined with nanocarbon lymph node tracers can achieve good surgical outcomes and demonstrates promising clinical applications.