Shave biopsies are usually performed to remove nonmalignant lesions (e.g., seborrheic keratoses, actinic
keratoses, or fibroepithelial polyps) or for diagnosis of basal cell carcinomas. Shave biopsies of pigmented
lesions should be strongly discouraged and interpreted with caution. The diagnosis of melanoma may be
difficult in such a specimen due to limited sampling and the depth of invasion may be impossible to assess.
Specimens are inked if designated “excisions.”