ECOG performance status
Also written as: ECOG — Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group
A standardized scale from 0-4 that measures a patient's functional capacity and ability to perform daily activities, used to guide cancer treatment decisions.
Full Definition
The Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status is a widely used assessment tool that quantifies a cancer patient's functional status and overall well-being. The scale ranges from 0 (fully active, no restrictions) to 4 (completely disabled, confined to bed or chair). Specifically: Grade 0 indicates normal activity without restrictions; Grade 1 shows restricted strenuous activity but ambulatory; Grade 2 indicates ambulatory more than 50% of waking hours with some work restrictions; Grade 3 shows limited self-care with confined to bed/chair more than 50% of time; Grade 4 indicates complete disability. In breast oncology, ECOG performance status influences treatment selection, particularly regarding candidacy for aggressive chemotherapy regimens, clinical trial enrollment, and surgical procedures. It serves as both a prognostic factor and a tool for monitoring treatment tolerance.
Usage
Usage note: Always specify the numeric grade (0-4) when documenting; distinguish from Karnofsky performance status which uses a percentage scale.
In Context
- "The patient's ECOG performance status of 1 made her a candidate for dose-dense chemotherapy." — Treatment planning note
- "Deteriorating ECOG performance status prompted discussion of palliative care options." — Clinical assessment