Book excerpt: The new edition of this atlas integrates all significant advances made in the past 15 years in molecular pathology, tumor virology, and genetics of cervical cancer. It emphasizes the importance of these advances in facilitating its pathological diagnosis and in op- mizing clinical management and prognosis. A new chapter on immunohistochemistry has been added, which includes refined detection methods, e. g., the overexpression of INK4a p16 as a molecular marker in the early differential diagnosis of premalignant - sions. The section on etiology and pathogenesis in human papillomavirus-induced neoplasia has been incorporated to represent new insights into the sequences of cel- lar and nuclear deregulation at the molecular level. All chapters have been revised to - clude the newest advances and relevant experiences in how to interpret and manage cervical disease; they are supported by the addition of 35 new microphotographic ill- trations. The tumor nomenclature is adapted to the latest edition of the WHO classi- cation; the morphology code of the international classification of diseases for oncology (ICD-O) has been added. We have also updated the list of references by adding recent relevant publications. Again, the staff of Springer-Verlag deserve our thanks for their patience and skill in preparing the manuscript and in reproducing the microphotographs. Heidelberg, February 2005 Gisela Dallenbach-Hellweg, Magnus von Knebel Doeberitz, and Marcus J. Trunk Heading2 Preface to the First Edition During the past decade our understanding of the histopathology of the cervix uteri has changed greatly.