Keeping in mind the postulates listed above we have prepared a brief Atlas of gynecologic pathology. We have compiled it for practicing gynecologists, but we hope that it will be mostly used by gynecologists in training, i.e. residents or registrars or fellows. Most gynecology training programs include gynecologic pathology as a requirement and many gynecologists in training even rotate through pathology departments. This short book, that could be read cover to cover during such a rotation could serve as a comprehensive introduction to gynecologic pathology and would definitely provide enough factual knowledge to pass the specialty Boards.

Over many years we have been teaching clinicians in training and medical students gynecologic pathology. We are thus fairly confident that we know what is important for them to know, what challenges them the most, and what are the pathologic entities that puzzle them the most in their daily practice as well during the intense study time while preparing for the examinations. We hope that this book will help them better understand gynecologic pathology and allow them to correlate the pathologic findings with the clinical data.

Since we are pathologist, we hope that our own residents will also read this book to understand which aspects of pathology are of special clinical significance. One day they might even use it to teach pathology to the next generation of young gynecologists.

Our book is divided into seven chapters covering the pathology of the six principal parts of the female genital tract and the placenta. We have followed the time-tested format of our lectures and have in our presentation included the following elements:

Each chapter begins with a brief review or the relevant anatomy and histology. With the help of our expert medical illustrator Erica R. Grindle, who is also a student in the program for Pathology Assistants, we have also 5prepared some semi-schematic drawings of normal anatomy. The text is presented mostly in form of boxed tables and the narrative was reduced to bare minimum. To facilitate the understanding of illustrations we have marked up or annotated most figures. The figures of macroscopic findings were juxtaposed to those of microscopic findings for easy correlation of gross and histologic appearances of the same diseases. The important aspects of many diseases are marked with asterisks and labeled as “pearls”.

We hope that the book will be read worldwide and we await eagerly the feedback from our readers. All comments are welcome but especially constructive criticism or suggestions for improvement. Please do not hesitate to send your correspondence by e-mail (otawfik@kumc.edu).

This book would not have been possible without the help of our Chair, Dr. Patricia Thomas, our colleagues and residents in the Department of Pathology, as well our clinician friends at the University of Kansas Hospital. Mr. Dennis Friesen, our departmental photographer provided invaluable help with the color figures. Mr JP Vij, Chairman and Managing Director, Jaypee Brothers Medical Publishers (P) Ltd., New Delhi, encouraged us to start this project and his expert staff, provided the technical support and completed the project in record time. We thank them all.