This is the second edition of the book, covering a wide spectrum of the latest information relevant to diagnosis and treatment of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). In recent years the incidence rate of esophageal cancer has been increasing; however, the background characteristics of the cancer treatment are significantly different between Asian and Western countries. In tumor histology, ESCC associated with smoking and alcohol consumption is overwhelmingly prevalent in Asia, whereas adenocarcinoma associated with Barrett's metaplasia is remarkably prevalent in the West. In Asia, especially in Japan, surgeons play a significant role in the management of esophageal cancer patients, while medical and radiation oncologists as well as surgeons are important in the West. Considering these East-West differences in management of esophageal cancer, evidence originating in Asia should be more widely disseminated globally. The contributing authors, who have great expertise in their areas of specialization, discuss details in terms of treatment of ESCC, including basic science, diagnosis, surgery, other treatment modalities, Japanese guidelines, and also valuable experiences from other Asian countries. Accordingly, this excellent collection of texts benefits not only oncologists, but all medical and biological researchers involved in the latest ESCC research.