BSA Calculator
Calculate Body Surface Area.
Enter values to calculate BSA.
Body Surface Area (BSA) is a measurement of the total surface area of the human body. In medicine, it is considered a more accurate indicator of metabolic mass than body weight alone, as it is less affected by abnormal body fat. A BSA calculator is a crucial tool in many clinical settings, particularly in oncology and pharmacology, for determining appropriate drug dosages.
The Importance of BSA in Medicine
Many therapeutic drug doses are correlated with the patient's BSA. This is especially true for cytotoxic chemotherapy agents used to treat cancer. Dosing based on BSA helps to normalize the drug concentration in the body, ensuring that patients receive a dose that is both effective and minimally toxic, regardless of their size. It is also used to calculate cardiac index and in the management of burn victims.
Formulas for Calculating BSA
Over the years, several different formulas have been developed to estimate BSA based on a patient's height and weight. This calculator provides results from four of the most widely recognized formulas:
- Du Bois & Du Bois (1916): One of the oldest and most classic formulas.
- Mosteller (1987): A simplified and very commonly used formula, known for its ease of calculation.
- Haycock (1978): Another widely used formula, particularly in pediatrics.
- Gehan & George (1970): Developed specifically from a large data set of cancer patients.
While the results from these formulas are generally very similar, the Mosteller formula is often preferred in many clinical settings due to its simplicity and accuracy.
Disclaimer: This calculator is intended for use by healthcare professionals or for educational purposes. It is not a substitute for professional medical judgment. All medication dosing must be prescribed by a qualified healthcare provider according to established protocols.
Enter values to see the results.
Body Surface Area (BSA) is a measurement of the total surface area of the human body. In medicine, it is considered a more accurate indicator of metabolic mass than body weight alone, as it is less affected by abnormal body fat. A BSA calculator is a crucial tool in many clinical settings, particularly in oncology and pharmacology, for determining appropriate drug dosages.
The Importance of BSA in Medicine
Many therapeutic drug doses are correlated with the patient's BSA. This is especially true for cytotoxic chemotherapy agents used to treat cancer. Dosing based on BSA helps to normalize the drug concentration in the body, ensuring that patients receive a dose that is both effective and minimally toxic, regardless of their size. It is also used to calculate cardiac index and in the management of burn victims.
Formulas for Calculating BSA
Over the years, several different formulas have been developed to estimate BSA based on a patient's height and weight. This calculator provides results from four of the most widely recognized formulas:
- Du Bois & Du Bois (1916): One of the oldest and most classic formulas.
- Mosteller (1987): A simplified and very commonly used formula, known for its ease of calculation.
- Haycock (1978): Another widely used formula, particularly in pediatrics.
- Gehan & George (1970): Developed specifically from a large data set of cancer patients.
While the results from these formulas are generally very similar, the Mosteller formula is often preferred in many clinical settings due to its simplicity and accuracy.
Disclaimer: This calculator is intended for use by healthcare professionals or for educational purposes. It is not a substitute for professional medical judgment. All medication dosing must be prescribed by a qualified healthcare provider according to established protocols.