Traditional operation for esophageal cancer includes esophagectomy and digestive tract reconstruction, which is associated with more postoperative complications and high mortalities due to severe trauma. Endoscopic surgery （including thoracoscope, mediastinoscope, and laparoscope） for radical resection of esophageal cancer has mild operative trauma, less bleeding and mild postoperative pain, resulting in less postoperative complications and low mortalities. This article analyzes the current status of endoscopic surgery in radical operation of esophageal cancer and the existing problems, providing reference for the development of minimally invasive surgery of esophageal cancer