Laminins are components of the extracellular matrix that contribute to the architecture of the basal lamina, and mediate cell adhesion, growth, migration, proliferation, and differentiation. Basement membrane laminins, in particular, may play a role in enhancing carcinoma cell motility. The aim of this study was to evaluate the distribution pattern of laminin in both basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and to correlate laminin distribution with different variants of BCC and to correlate laminin distribution with metastatic potential in SCC. This study included 38 patients (21 BCC, 17 SCC). Skin biopsy specimens were obtained from all patients for routine histopathological and immunohistochemical study. Palpable lymph nodes were also obtained for routine histopathological and immunohistochemical study. Twenty five (6 healthy skin + 19 safety margin) specimens served as controls. Laminin was evaluated qualitatively and semiquantitatively using monoclonal mouse antihuman antibody, in different variants of BCC and SCC. It was concluded that the cytoplasmic and basement membrane laminin is important in the pathogenesis and invasion of both basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma, BCCs expressed more laminin than SCCs. In BCC, most laminin was in basement membrane zone, and the more differentiated the tumour the more cytoplasmic and BM staining it expressed. The majority of SCCs showed weak positivity for cytoplasmic laminin, the less differentiated the tumour, the more cytoplasmic laminin it expressed. In poorly differentiated SCC, laminin was weakly expressed in the metastatic lymph node. The lymph nodes displayed identical staining pattern and intensity as their individual primary tumours.