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BSA Formula:
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Body Surface Area (BSA) is the measured or calculated surface area of the human body. It's an important medical measurement used particularly for calculating drug dosages, especially for chemotherapy medications that have a narrow therapeutic index.
The calculator uses the Mosteller formula:
Where:
Explanation: This formula provides an accurate estimation of body surface area based on an individual's height and weight measurements.
Details: Accurate BSA calculation is crucial for determining appropriate chemotherapy drug dosages, as many cytotoxic drugs are dosed according to body surface area to maximize efficacy while minimizing toxicity.
Tips: Enter height in centimeters and weight in kilograms. Both values must be valid positive numbers for accurate calculation.
Q1: Why is BSA used for chemotherapy dosing?
A: BSA correlates better with drug metabolism and clearance than body weight alone, helping to standardize doses across patients of different sizes.
Q2: What is the normal range for BSA?
A: Average BSA for adults is approximately 1.7 m² for men and 1.6 m² for women, but varies significantly based on height and weight.
Q3: Are there different formulas for calculating BSA?
A: Yes, besides the Mosteller formula used here, other common formulas include Du Bois, Haycock, and Gehan-George formulas.
Q4: When should BSA be recalculated during treatment?
A: BSA should be recalculated if a patient experiences significant weight change (typically >10% of body weight) during chemotherapy treatment.
Q5: Is BSA calculation appropriate for all patients?
A: While widely used, BSA-based dosing may need adjustment for extremes of body composition, such as in obese patients or those with significant edema.