Body surface area capping may not improve cytotoxic drugs tolerance

Abstract

Capping body surface area (BSA) at 2 m(2) is a routine clinical practice. It aims at reducing toxicities in over 2 m(2) BSA patients. 455,502 computerized chemotherapy prescriptions made between 2011 and 2017 were taken from BPC software. Chemotherapy computerized order entry is created by a senior physician prescribers before patient consultation. Only prescriptions with dose calculation involving BSA were selected. 51,179 chemotherapy prescriptions were analyzed; corresponding to 7206 patients who received intravenous chemotherapy. The number of chemotherapy prescriptions in over 2 m(2) BSA patients was nearly the same in the hematology as in the oncology departments. But, 79.1% of prescriptions were capped at 2 m(2) in the oncology department contrary to 21.9% in the hematology department. Practices analysis showed more dose limitation in palliative situations in both departments. Unexpectedly, 6.53% of capped prescriptions were performed in patients with normal BMI. The patients who received capped doses of chemotherapy had neither fewer dose reductions due to toxicity nor deterioration of their general condition. Capping did not induce fewer dose reductions in patients with BSA greater than 2 m(2). Prospective studies in this population are needed to standardize chemotherapy administration in population with BSA>2 m(2).