Book excerpt: Dependable, current, and complete, Robbins and Cotran Pathologic Basis of Disease, 9th Edition is the perennially best-selling text that you'll use long after your medical student days are behind you. A world-class author team headed by Drs. Vinay Kumar, Abul Abbas, and Jon Aster, delivers the latest, most essential pathology knowledge in a readable, interesting manner, ensuring optimal understanding of the latest basic science and clinical content. High-quality photographs and full-color illustrations highlight new information in molecular biology, disease classifications, new drugs and drug therapies, and much more. - Rely on uniquely authoritative and readable coverage, ideal for USMLE or specialty board preparation, as well as for course work. - Simplify your study with an outstanding full-color, highly user-friendly design. - Stay up to date with the latest information in molecular and genetic testing and mechanisms of disease. - Consult new Targeted Therapy boxes online that discuss drug therapy for specific diseases. - Gain a new perspective in key areas thanks to contributions from new authors at the top of their fields. - Student Consult eBook version included with purchase. Further your understanding with access to a wealth of interactive ancillaries on the Student Consult site, including pathology case studies and videos and self-assessment questions.