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Intermediate Technical IVT

CTCAE

Pronunciation: C-T-C-A-E

Also written as: CTCAE — Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events

Standardized system for grading adverse events in cancer clinical trials.

Full Definition

The Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) is the standard classification and severity grading system for adverse events in cancer clinical trials, developed by the National Cancer Institute. CTCAE provides a comprehensive framework for consistently reporting and grading the severity of treatment-related toxicities across all cancer types and treatment modalities. The current version (5.0) includes over 800 adverse event terms with specific grading criteria for each. CTCAE is widely adopted by regulatory agencies, pharmaceutical companies, and clinical research organizations worldwide for safety assessment and reporting.

Usage

Usage note: Always specify the version number when referencing CTCAE in clinical documentation.

In Context

  • "All adverse events were graded according to CTCAE version 5.0 criteria." — Clinical trial methodology section
  • "The investigator used CTCAE definitions to assess toxicity severity." — Safety analysis plan

Also known as

Common Terminology Criteria

Don't confuse with

ECOG WHO toxicity criteria

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