title: Invited commentary.
authors.affiliation: General Thoracic Surgical Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital, 55 Fruit St, Blake 1570, Boston, MA 02114-2696. Electronic address: dmathisen@partners.org.
authors.forename: Douglas J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Mathisen
mesh_terms: D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality* / Q000601:surgery*; D016629:Esophagectomy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D013906:Thoracoscopy / Q000379:methods*