Surgery is the preferred method for esophageal cancer. Early detection, early diagnosis and early surgery are the main principles of esophageal cancer. Other treatments are used as auxiliary treatment measures. To perform surgery, the indications for surgery of esophageal cancer must be strictly mastered. Surgery is the preferred method for esophageal cancer. Early detection, early diagnosis and early surgery are the main principles of esophageal cancer. Other treatments are used as adjuvant treatment measures. Indications for surgery of esophageal cancer: 1. Early stage esophageal cancer, patients with good general condition, good cardiopulmonary function reserve, basically normal function of major organs and estimated to be able to tolerate surgery, should strive for surgery as early as possible. 2.Patients with no distant metastases, estimated local lesions may be resected, and no recalcitrant chest pain and back pain, no serious complications such as hoarseness or irritating cough. 3.Patients with stage III esophageal cancer, who have not yet developed distant metastases, can be considered for surgery, but comprehensive treatment about radiotherapy should be carried out before surgery; in addition, patients with lower segment esophageal cancer when the length does not exceed 7 cm can also be considered for surgery. 4.Patients with early stage esophageal cancer who have recurred after radiotherapy, but the lesion is not large in scope, no distant metastasis has occurred and the physical condition allows can also be operated. 5.Surgery can also be considered when the esophagus of esophageal cancer patients is severely obstructed and the patient is in good general condition. 6.For larger squamous carcinoma, if the possibility of resection is estimated to be small and the general condition of the patient is good, radiotherapy can be given first, and surgery can be performed after the tumor shrinks. Before surgery, esophageal cancer patients should make a comprehensive analysis based on clinicopathological stage, pathological type, lesion location, length, soft tissue mass shadow, esophageal axis, relationship between tumor size and surrounding tissues and lymph node metastasis to estimate the possibility of surgical resection.