M2 Formula:
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The M2 formula calculates body surface area (BSA) using height and weight measurements. It's commonly used in chemotherapy dosing to determine appropriate medication amounts based on a patient's size.
The calculator uses the M2 formula:
Where:
Explanation: The formula provides a more accurate representation of body surface area than simple weight-based dosing, which is particularly important for chemotherapy medications with narrow therapeutic windows.
Details: Accurate body surface area calculation is crucial for determining appropriate chemotherapy doses, as many anticancer drugs are dosed based on m² to maximize efficacy while minimizing toxicity.
Tips: Enter height in centimeters and weight in kilograms. Both values must be positive numbers. For best results, use recent measurements.
Q1: Why is m² used for chemotherapy dosing?
A: Body surface area correlates better with metabolic rate and organ size than body weight alone, making it a more accurate parameter for dosing medications that have narrow therapeutic indices.
Q2: What is a typical m² range for adults?
A: Most adults have a body surface area between 1.5-2.2 m², though this can vary significantly based on height and weight.
Q3: Are there different formulas for calculating BSA?
A: Yes, other formulas include Du Bois, Mosteller, and Haycock formulas. The 0.007184 formula is commonly used in clinical practice for chemotherapy dosing.
Q4: When should m² be recalculated?
A: M² should be recalculated if a patient experiences significant weight change (>10% of body weight) between treatment cycles.
Q5: Are there limitations to this calculation?
A: The formula may be less accurate in extremes of body habitus (very obese or very cachectic patients) and in pediatric populations, where specialized formulas may be preferred.