For the new edition, Dr Mohan has thoroughly revised his previous text, expanding it with novel data selected judiciously from both laboratory and clinical research papers. Yet the basic structure of the book remains unchanged, with an unconditional dedication to the systematic coverage of the basics, strong clinical underpinning, and a good sense for didactics. It reflects the author's lifelong experience in the classroom and his passion for teaching of pathology to medical students. The text is illustrated with informative artists' drawings and photographs. It also contains highlighted summary boxes and valuable tables. At the end of each chapter there are clinical cases, designed to stimulate further studies and discussions. The condensed Quick Review Book, appended to the textbook as a lagniappe, will remain attractive to medical students preparing for their examinations.

In a short foreword of this kind, it is not possible to mention all the strong points of this Textbook. It should suffice to say that Dr Mohan's Textbook has retained all the features which have made previous editions so popular with medical students and their teachers alike. It was masterfully updated and with the new didactic elements it will be even more attractive to its readers. It will remain an essential must-have for all medical undergraduate students, serving them as a pathfinder and bridge during their transition from basic medical sciences to clinical medicine.

Diagnostic pathology has been growing exponentially with advances in molecular methods, cytogenetics and immunology, besides the ready availability of immunohistochemistry. In fact, in the current era, immunophenotyping and cytogenetics have been recommended as defining criteria for classification, diagnosis and prognostication of growing number of cancers. In such a scenario, it is quite natural that undergraduate students of pathology should be made aware of what is happening in the realm of diagnostic science while at the same time not forgetting to lose hold of the fundamental aspects of pathology of diseases. Thus, for beginners in pathology, for whom this textbook is primarily meant, a balanced approach for learning of pathology is recommended i.e. the students must learn basic morphologic pathology including recent knowledge of etiology and pathogenesis of diseases, and simultaneously they should know the contribution of modern diagnostic techniques mentioned above towards achieving the goal of an objective ‘final diagnosis’ that is prognostically relevant as well. This philosophy for teaching and learning of pathology has been followed in the present edition but without disturbing the basic format of the book.

Some of the Key Features of the Seventh Edition are as follows:

In essence, the revised edition is a comprehensive text of pathology meant primarily for students of pathology; however, the practicing clinicians and students of other branches of medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, alternate system of medicine, and paramedical courses may also find it useful.

Constant strategic encouragement and support extended by the Department of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh Administration, during the completion of this academic work is gratefully acknowledged.

I have strived to be as accurate and perfect as possible, and in doing so, I may have been quite harsh and demanding with Production team at the M/s Jaypee Brothers Medical Publishers (P) Ltd. But I must appreciate their patience, cooperation and commitment in general, and Mr Manoj Pahuja, Senior Graphic Designer and Mrs Y Kapoor, Senior Desktop Operator, in particular, for acceding to all my requests for amendments smilingly and ungrudgingly till the very last minute, and to Mr Sunil Dogra, Production Executive, for overseeing the entire project vigilantly and efficiently.

Lastly, the passionate involvement of Shri Jitendar P Vij (Group Chairman) and enthusiasm of Mr Ankit Vij (Group President), M/s Jaypee Brothers Medical Publishers (P) Ltd, in the revised edition of the textbook has raised the bar for a high standard for which I am deeply thankful to both of them. While the content and product quality of the revised edition of the textbook are of an uncompromising quality, the book continues to be of reasonable volume and has been kept affordable.

Finally, I owe gratitude to the users of previous editions who have been generous in giving feedback and suggestions. Every suggestion helps me to introspect and attempt to make the textbook better. I request all the users of present edition to continue giving their valuable suggestions and point out errors, if any, to help me to improve it further.