The third edition provides an authoritative guide to the diagnosis and treatment of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), featuring new chapters that reflect the latest research and clinical practices. This book brings together insights from renowned experts who explore key concepts such as robot assisted surgery, endoscopic techniques like EMR and ESD, and advanced surgical procedures including transthoracic esophagectomy and salvage and conversion esophagectomy. The authors also address critical issues such as perioperative management and neoadjuvant and adjuvant therapy. This collection invites readers to engage with diverse perspectives from leading scholars who contribute their expertise on both theoretical frameworks and practical case studies.

Designed for oncologists, gastroenterologists, thoracic surgeons, medical researchers, and students specializing in cancer therapy or surgical oncology, this book serves as an essential resource for those seeking to deepen their understanding of ESCC. It is particularly relevant for professionals interested in integrating Eastern methodologies with Western practices to improve patient outcomes globally. As part of a distinguished series on oncology advancements, this volume is a must-have for any academic or clinical library focused on cutting-edge cancer research.

Yuko Kitagawa, MD, PhD, FACS, hon ASA
Professor emeritus of Department of Surgery, Keio University, School of Medicine
Provost and Vice President of Keio University Tokyo, Japan
Dr. Kitagawa is a surgical oncologist and a clinical and translational researcher who mainly focuses on the areas of gastrointestinal cancers. He has published 1,184 articles in English peer-reviewed journals. He was a chair of the Japan Esophageal Oncology Group (2012-2023) and works as a principal investigator (PI) for many important nationwide and international clinical studies for upper GI cancer.
As an outstanding surgical and multimodal oncologist, he served as the Society President of  the Japanese Society of Gastroenterological Surgery (2019-2023), Japan Society of Clinical Oncology (2015-2019)  and is currently serving as President of Japan Society for Endoscopic Surgery since 2023.
He is also active on the international stage, as demonstrated by his contributions as President of the International Society for Diseases of the Esophagus (2016-2018) and President of International Gastric Cancer Association (2023-2025). He serves as a bridge between the East and the West in the realm of upper GI oncology. As part of this role, he organized the 16th Congress of International Society for Diseases of the Esophagus in Vienna (2018) and 15th International Gastric Cancer Congress in Yokohama (2023).

Satoru Matsuda, MD, PhD, FACS
Dr. Satoru Matsuda is a Professor in the Department of Surgery at Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan. Professor Matsuda has dedicated his academic career to advancing the treatment of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) through rigorous clinical and translational research. He earned his Medical Degree and Ph.D. from Keio University, where his doctoral research on the cancer inflammation and tumor progression provided critical biological insights that continue to inform his investigations into liquid biopsy and tumor immune microenvironment.
Professor Matsuda’s academic contributions are characterized by the strategic integration of cutting-edge technology with surgical oncology. He is a leading investigator in the application of liquid biopsy (ctDNA) for the molecular monitoring of treatment response and has pioneered the development of Artificial Intelligence (AI) for endoscopic response evaluation and real-time surgical navigation. His research is instrumental in bridging the gap between basic science and clinical innovation, particularly in the field of Robot-Assisted Minimally Invasive Esophagectomy, where he is recognized as an international master and official proctor. As a key member of the Japan Clinical Oncology Group (JCOG) Esophageal Cancer Study Group, he has led multiple multi-institutional clinical trials that have established new therapeutic benchmarks globally.
His scholarly impact is reflected in an extensive publication record and his influential roles on the editorial boards of several prestigious international journals. Professor Matsuda has been honored with numerous national and international awards for his outstanding contributions to surgical science and clinical research. In this volume, he synthesizes his deep scientific expertise to provide a definitive analysis of the current landscape and future frontiers of ESCC research and therapy.

Hirofumi Kawakubo, MD, PhD
Dr. Hirofumi Kawakubo is a Director of Esophageal Surgery, Cancer Institute Ariake Hospital. He graduated from Keio University School of Medicine in 1994 and completed his surgical training within the Keio University surgical residency program between 1994 and 2000, obtaining board certification as a general surgeon. From May 2000, Dr. Kawakubo served as a staff surgeon at an affiliated hospital of the Keio University Department of Surgery. Between October 2002 and April 2005, he worked as a Research Fellow in the Department of Surgery at Massachusetts General Hospital, where he engaged in advanced surgical research. Following his return to Japan, he served from May 2005 to April 2011 as a staff surgeon specializing in upper gastrointestinal surgery at Kawasaki Municipal Hospital, an affiliated hospital of Keio University. During this period, he played a central role in establishing and standardizing minimally invasive surgical programs for esophageal and gastric cancer. Since May 2011, Dr. Kawakubo has been serving as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Surgery at Keio University School of Medicine, where he has been actively involved in clinical practice, surgical education, and research. He was promoted to the associate professor in the Department of Surgery at Keio University School of Medicine in 2017. Since April 2026, he is a Director of Esophageal Surgery, Cancer Institute Ariake Hospital.. Dr. Kawakubo’s current clinical interests include minimally invasive surgery, robot-assisted surgery for upper gastrointestinal malignancies. He is a recognized specialist in both esophageal and gastric cancer surgery, with particular expert in minimally invasive surgical techniques and reconstructive procedures, including for esophagogastric junction cancer. To date, he has performed more than 300 cases of robot-assisted esophagectomy and gastrectomy. His clinical and academic work has focused on the introduction, refinement, and objective evaluation of robotic surgery for highly invasive procedures, particularly in the treatment of esophageal cancer. In addition to his clinical and academic roles, Dr. Kawakubo currently serves as the Chief of the Esophageal Section of the Skill Qualification System of the Japan Society for Endoscopic Surgery. This national certification program rigorously evaluates operative videos submitted by young surgeons and certifies those who meet predefined technical and procedural standards, thereby contributing to the maintenance and advancement of surgical quality and safety nationwide.