Anthropometric measurements of the body composition of cancer patients determine the precise role of the body surface area and the calculation of the dose of chemotherapy

The calculation of an accurate dose of chemotherapy for oncological patients reduces the possible medication errors and the toxicity of the body and so it improves the outcome of the treatment (survival). In oncological practice for the calculation of the dose of chemotherapy the human body surface area (BSA) is used. The human body surface area is determined by derived formulas, but it is not directly linked to the pharmacokinetics of the drugs. Pharmacokinetic studies have demonstrated that for the calculation of the chemotherapy dose the actual body weight should be taken into account rather than the ideal one. In the therapeutic dose determination the body fat mass has essential signifi…