Robotic Surgery Offers New Hope for Oesophageal Cancer Patients
When William Duncan was offered robotic surgery to remove cancer from his oesophagus, his response was clear: he had no fear of robots. Diagnosed with oesophageal cancer in October 2025, William, a former engineer, was informed that his cancer was detected early and could be treated using robotic-assisted surgery. Without hesitation, he agreed to the procedure.
A few months later, at 59 years old, William became the first patient in Northern Ireland to undergo an oesophagectomy using robotic-assisted surgery to remove his cancer.
Traditionally, this surgery is performed through open surgery, which involves larger incisions, higher risks of infection, and increased pain. Robotic-assisted surgery offers several benefits over conventional methods, including reduced pain and blood loss, shorter hospital stays, and faster recovery times.
Coming from an engineering background, William had no reservations about robotic surgery.
"I've worked with robots, so I knew that robotic technology is the way forward.
"I had absolutely no fear of robots.
"In fact, I was privileged to be given the opportunity for it," he said.
Recognizing Symptoms of Oesophageal Cancer
Oesophageal cancer symptoms can be subtle and affect digestion, making them difficult to detect early. William's first symptom was difficulty swallowing, which he initially ignored.
"Being a typical man, I just ignored it," he admitted.
The symptoms progressively worsened, and after waking in the middle of the night choking and vomiting, William realized something was seriously wrong. He eventually sought emergency care when he was unable to keep food down and was referred for diagnostic tests.
Upon diagnosis, William described his initial reaction:
"That was when the floor opened up for me."
However, he quickly adopted a proactive mindset.
"The best form of defence is attack," he said.
When robotic surgery was proposed, William was decisive.
"I said instantly: 'No, I'll do it now. I don't need any time to think about it. I'm 100% ready to do it.'"
Successful Surgery and Recovery
The surgery was very successful, and William was discharged from the hospital after nine days, including just one night in the intensive care unit.
"The recovery time has been brilliant.
"I'm back doing things now that I haven't been able to do for the last couple or three years. It's definitely benefited me a lot in recovery time," he said.
As a classic car enthusiast, William looks forward to returning to his hobbies and daily activities.
He also offers advice to others experiencing similar symptoms.
"Don't do what I did and that was nothing. Get it checked out as soon as possible. Go to your doctor and explain your symptoms and don't be put off by acid reflux or anything like that.
"Don't ignore it the way I did," he added.
Regarding robotic surgery, William encourages patients to embrace the technology.
"Go for it 100%. Have no fear of it. We have one of the best cancer teams in the world at our doorstep," he said.
Robotic Surgery Infrastructure in Northern Ireland
There are currently four robotic surgical systems in hospitals across Northern Ireland, each costing approximately £2 million. Two are located at Belfast City Hospital, with one each at Altnagelvin and Ulster hospitals.
The Department of Health commissioned one robot specifically to support robot-assisted radical prostatectomy surgery at the Belfast Trust, which received a recurrent allocation of £788,000 to support this expansion.
While robotic surgery initially focused on urology, its application is expanding to other specialties, including colorectal, upper gastrointestinal, and gynecological procedures.
Robotic surgery involves making very small incisions, facilitated by miniaturized cameras and instruments controlled remotely by a surgeon via a console. This technology provides enhanced visibility and precision compared to conventional techniques, improving safety and ease for surgeons and patients alike.
Expert Insights on Robotic Surgery Benefits
Mark Taylor, regional clinical director for elective care, described robotic surgery as "very innovative."
"The benefits of robotic surgery are firstly to the patient. So smaller wounds, less pain and earlier discharge from hospital.
"Secondly, in terms of surgeons, it's important that this is the future. So, to recruit and retain surgeons, we have got to be on a par with our counterparts throughout the world.
"And thirdly, in terms of the survival of the surgeons, so actually surgeons working with robotic surgery have less incidence of back pain and neck pain.
"And there's one other component for me, and that is if we can get people out of hospital earlier, then that will have an impact on our waiting lists," he said.
