Body Surface Area Calculator For Chemotherapy

Mosteller Formula:

\[ BSA = \sqrt{\frac{W \times H}{3600}} \]

Body Surface Area (m²):

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1. What is Body Surface Area (BSA) Calculator?

Definition: This calculator estimates body surface area using the Mosteller formula, commonly used for chemotherapy dosing.

Purpose: It helps medical professionals determine appropriate medication dosages based on a patient's body size.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the Mosteller formula:

\[ BSA = \sqrt{\frac{W \times H}{3600}} \]

Where:

\( BSA \) — Body Surface Area (square meters)
\( W \) — Weight (kilograms)
\( H \) — Height (centimeters)

Explanation: The product of weight and height is divided by 3600, and the square root of this value gives the BSA in m².

3. Importance of BSA Calculation

Details: Accurate BSA calculation is crucial for chemotherapy dosing, renal function assessment, and other medical applications where body size affects drug metabolism.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the patient's weight in kilograms and height in centimeters. All values must be > 0.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why is BSA used for chemotherapy dosing?
A: BSA correlates better with metabolic processes than weight alone, leading to more accurate dosing for cytotoxic drugs.

Q2: What's the advantage of Mosteller formula?
A: It's simple, validated, and widely accepted in clinical practice for its accuracy and ease of calculation.

Q3: Are there other BSA formulas?
A: Yes, including Du Bois, Haycock, and Gehan-George formulas, but Mosteller is most commonly used in chemotherapy.

Q4: When should I use actual vs. ideal body weight?
A: For obese patients, consult oncology guidelines as some protocols use adjusted body weight for certain drugs.

Q5: How precise should BSA calculations be?
A: Typically rounded to 2 decimal places (0.01 m²) for clinical purposes.