Second, one preoperative ctDNA‐negative case (pT2N1M0, Stage IIIA) subsequently developed recurrence and died within 5 years, indicating potential limitations in our 61‐gene panel's coverage. The panel's modest size (61 genes) unavoidably excluded certain ESCC drivers (NOTCH1, NFE2L2), which may explain this false‐negative result. This evidence concerns the gene NFE2L2 and esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.