Chemotherapy BSA Calculator

Body Surface Area Formula:

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

Body Surface Area (m²):

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1. What is a Chemotherapy BSA Calculator?

Definition: This calculator estimates Body Surface Area (BSA) which is used to determine chemotherapy drug dosages.

Purpose: It helps medical professionals calculate accurate medication doses based on a patient's size rather than just weight.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the Mosteller formula:

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

Where:

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

Explanation: The formula calculates BSA by taking the square root of the product of weight and height divided by 3600.

3. Importance of BSA Calculation for Chemotherapy

Details: BSA provides a more accurate measurement for drug dosing than body weight alone, as it better correlates with metabolic rate and drug clearance.

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: Many chemotherapy drugs have narrow therapeutic windows, and BSA helps standardize dosing across different body sizes.

Q2: What's the average BSA for adults?
A: The average BSA is about 1.7 m² for adult men and 1.6 m² for adult women.

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

Q4: How accurate is BSA for dosing?
A: While better than weight alone, BSA isn't perfect. Some drugs may require additional adjustments.

Q5: Should BSA be used for all patients?
A: Obese patients may require special consideration as BSA may overestimate their metabolic needs.