Intermediate
Technical
In the Industry Vocabulary Test
progression-free survival
Time from treatment initiation until disease progression or death, used as a clinical trial endpoint.
Full Definition
A clinical research measure that quantifies the length of time during and after treatment that a patient lives with cancer without tumor growth or spread. Progression-free survival (PFS) is a key endpoint in gynecologic oncology clinical trials as it reflects treatment efficacy while accounting for disease stability. PFS is particularly valuable when overall survival differences may take years to emerge, and it provides earlier insights into treatment benefits while considering quality of life during stable disease periods.
Usage
Usage note: Commonly abbreviated as PFS; ensure proper hyphenation in the full term.
In Context
- "The clinical trial demonstrated significant improvement in progression-free survival with the new therapy." — Research publication
- "Median progression-free survival was 18 months in the experimental arm versus 12 months in controls." — Clinical trial report
Also known as
PFS
disease-free interval
Contrasted with
disease progression
Don't confuse with
overall survival
disease-free survival