Owing to the central role of p53 in genomic stability, TP53 is one of the most-commonly mutated genes in human cancers; the prevalence of TP53 mutations exceeds 40% in colorectal, head and neck, and oesophageal cancers (http://p53.iarc.fr/RefsHighlights.aspx). The gene discussed is TP53; the disease is carcinoma of esophagus.