Cytologic methods for the diagnosis of cancer have been utilized in various ways at least since 1867. 1 Since 1943, when Papanicolaou and Traut wrote a monograph on exfoliative cytology, modifications of their method have been applied to most body areas where secretions or exudates can be obtained. In almost all of these situations, the materials examined have been exfoliated cells. Individual cell morphology rather than tissue structure has been used as diagnostic criterion. Cutaneous tumors do not lend themselves readily to the study of exfoliated cells, since their surfaces are either intact, hyperkeratotic, or crusted. Several methods for obtaining smears from skin tumors have been reported, varying from impression smears and aspiration (needle) biopsy 2 to superficial curette abrasion. 3 Wright stain, May-Grunwald-Giemsa, and various Papanicolaou modifications have been used for staining. 4 Large-scale studies of the application of cytodiagnostic techniques to skin