1. What is the Mosteller Formula?

The Mosteller formula is a simple and widely used method for calculating body surface area (BSA). It's commonly used in oncology for chemotherapy dosing and in other medical applications where body surface area is important.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the Mosteller formula:

Where:

• \( W \) — Weight in kilograms (kg)
• \( H \) — Height in centimeters (cm)

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

3. Importance of BSA Calculation

Details: BSA is crucial for determining appropriate medication dosages, particularly for chemotherapy drugs, and for various clinical assessments in oncology and other medical specialties.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter weight in kilograms and height in centimeters. All values must be valid (weight > 0, height > 0).

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why is BSA important in chemotherapy?
A: Many chemotherapy drugs have narrow therapeutic windows, and dosing based on BSA helps optimize efficacy while minimizing toxicity.

Q2: What are normal BSA values?
A: Average BSA is about 1.7 m² for adult men and 1.6 m² for adult women, but varies significantly with body size.

Q3: How accurate is the Mosteller formula?
A: It's generally accurate for most clinical purposes and is widely used due to its simplicity and reasonable accuracy.

Q4: Are there other BSA formulas?
A: Yes, other formulas include DuBois & DuBois, Haycock, and Boyd, but Mosteller is most commonly used in oncology.

Q5: When should BSA be recalculated?
A: BSA should be recalculated if there's significant weight change (>10%) or for each chemotherapy cycle.