1. What is Body Surface Area (BSA) in Chemotherapy?

Definition: BSA is a measurement of the total surface area of the human body, used to calculate drug dosages for chemotherapy.

Purpose: Chemotherapy drugs are often dosed based on BSA to ensure optimal drug exposure while minimizing toxicity.

2. How Does the Mosteller Formula Work?

The calculator uses the Mosteller formula:

Where:

• \( BSA \) — 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 in Chemotherapy

Details: Accurate BSA calculation is crucial for determining appropriate chemotherapy doses, as it correlates better with metabolic rate and drug clearance than body weight alone.

4. Using the Calculator

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

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why use BSA instead of weight for chemotherapy dosing?
A: BSA better correlates with metabolic processes and drug clearance than weight alone, leading to more accurate dosing.

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 besides Mosteller?
A: Yes, other formulas include DuBois & DuBois, Haycock, and Boyd, but Mosteller is widely used for its simplicity and accuracy.

Q4: How precise should BSA calculations be for chemotherapy?
A: Typically rounded to 2 decimal places (e.g., 1.73 m²), but follow institutional protocols.

Q5: Does this calculator work for pediatric patients?
A: Yes, but some institutions may prefer different formulas for very small children.