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Cancer Vanquished by Robot: A Northern Ireland First
20 May
Summary
- A 59-year-old man underwent robotic surgery for oesophageal cancer.
- He was the first person in Northern Ireland to receive this procedure.
- The patient had no fear of robots for his cancer treatment.

William Duncan, a 59-year-old former engineer, has become the first patient in Northern Ireland to have oesophageal cancer removed using robotic assisted surgery. Duncan was diagnosed with the condition in October 2025. His cancer was detected at an early stage, making him a candidate for a less invasive treatment.
Upon learning that his consultant could address the cancer robotically, Duncan reportedly had "absolutely no fear of robots" and accepted the procedure without hesitation. This groundbreaking operation, an oesophagectomy performed with robotic assistance, signifies a new era for cancer treatment in the region.