[Reliability of exfoliative cytology in neoplasms of the oral cavity].

Exfoliative cytology is highly important in the early diagnosis of epidermoidal carcinomas of the oral cavity. The simplicity of the test and its nil invasivity make it particularly indicated in the screening of large samples of patients. A double blind study was carried out to evaluate the diagnostic reliability of this technique with regard to the traditional bioptic examination. The data collected are compared with those reported in the literature.