It also provides an estimate of what treatments a person may tolerate.
Each ranks your functioning and ability to care for yourself.
This article explains ECOG performance status and KPS performance status, as well as how to interpret scores.
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ECOG performance status ranks performance status on a scale of 0 to 5.
KPS uses a scale of 0 to 100.
Note that these scales differ in whether a lower number or a higher number means better performance status.
This is even more important now that there are many more treatment choices than in the past.
Predicting Prognosis
Many people with cancer and their families ask about prognosis.
Many people get frustrated by this.
Why is it so necessary?
Doesnt it exclude people who could benefit from an investigative treatment?
One is so that their results are reproducible.
Another reason, however, is important for you personally.
Frequently Asked Questions
Only a few moments.
A physician typically completes an ECOG performance status test during a routine evaluation.
The Palliative Performance Scale (PPS) is a modified KPS.
It measures function and predicts survival among those receiving palliative care (intended to increase comfort during treatment).
Kelly CM, Shahrokni A.Moving beyond Karnofsky and ECOG Performance Status assessments with new technologies.J Oncol.
2016;2016:6186543. doi:10.1155/2016/6186543
West HJ, Jin JO.Performance status in patients with cancer.JAMA Oncol.
2019;12(3):728-736. doi:10.1159/000503095
ECOG ACRIN Cancer Research Group.ECOG Performance Status Scale.
2014;10(5):e335-341.
A mixed-methods exploration of variability in decision-making in oncology.Ecancermedicalscience.
2018;21(11):1651-1661. doi:10.1089/jpm.2018.0141
