• Shave biopsies of the skin, usually done for superficial neoplasms, either benign or malignant, can be quite thin and may curl over on themselves.  They may be round, oval, or irregular.  They are not usually oriented by the submitting physician.
• Since the shave biopsy serves as an initial means of diagnosis, rather than as a definitive form of therapy, resection margins are often positive for tumor.  Ink the margins.
• Measure the skin surface in two dimensions, then the depth of excision.
• Measure and describe any lesions in terms of color, shape, and texture using nomenclature of dermatology.
• Describe the skin which has no lesions (color, hairbearing or not).
• If the largest diameter is 3 mm or less, submit the specimen intact, without cutting it.
• If the largest diameter is 4 mm or more, cut it into parallel slices, each about 2-3 mm thick.  Try to cut through the region in which the tumor comes closest to the peripheral resection margin.

• If the sectioned specimen is thin enough to possibly slip through the holes in a cassette, place the tissue in a tissue processing bag.
• Request that all sections be oriented on edge.

Internal use only.

Received without fixative/in formalin, labeled _____ and “_____”, is a __ x __ cm shave biopsy of _____ (color) skin excised to a depth of __ cm.  The resection margin is inked _____ (color).  A __ x __ cm ______ (color, central vs. eccentric) _____ (papule, macule, ulcer) is present on the skin surface, __ cm from the closest peripheral margin/focally involving the peripheral resection margin.  Serially sectioned and entirely submitted in cassette #__.

__ blocks, __H&E