p53 mutations frequently arise in both Barrett's oesophagus and oesophageal adenocarcinoma, occurring in 40–88% of cancers (Hamelin et al, 1994; Gleeson et al, 1995, 1998; Soslow et al, 1999) and 30–66% of Barrett's epithelium with mild or no dysplasia (Hamelin et al, 1994; Neshat et al, 1994). This evidence concerns the gene TP53 and esophageal adenocarcinoma.