At least 50% of patients with esophageal cancer have p53 gene mutations, and the mutation rate is higher in patients who are active smokers and consume alcohol (Olivier et al., 2010; Szymanska et al., 2010; Agrawal et al., 2012), with the highest frequency of mutations occurring at R248 (6.4%, 280/4354), followed by R175 (5.6%, 244/4354) (http://www.p53.fr/). The gene discussed is TP53; the disease is esophageal cancer.