The CASP8 -652 6N ins/del polymorphism was associated with decreased cancer risk in all five genetic models, and in the following subgroups: colorectal cancer, breast cancer, esophageal cancer, renal cell carcinoma, lung cancer, cervical cancer, bladder cancer, gastric cancer, other cancers, Asian, Caucasian, mixed population, population-based controls, hospital-based controls, high quality score, and low quality score. The gene discussed is CASP8; the disease is esophageal cancer.