This special issue of Gastroenterology provides in depth discussions of esophageal diseases with significant public health interest for which there have been substantial advances in recent years, including gastro-esophageal reflux disease, eosinophilic esophagitis, and esophageal cancer. These disorders could be considered “bread and butter” areas for GI clinicians and yet, like so many areas of medical practice, these subjects have become increasingly specialized as we gain a better understanding of their underlying pathogenesis and as new technologies emerge for their diagnosis and therapy.