ECOG performance status
Also written as: ECOG — Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group
Standardized scale measuring a patient's functional status and ability to perform daily activities during cancer treatment.
Full Definition
The Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status is a widely used scale ranging from 0 to 5 that measures a cancer patient's functional capacity and ability to tolerate treatment. ECOG 0 indicates fully active patients able to carry on all pre-disease activities, while ECOG 1-4 represent increasing levels of functional impairment, with ECOG 5 indicating death. This assessment tool is crucial for treatment decision-making, clinical trial eligibility, and prognosis determination in urologic oncology. Performance status significantly influences treatment selection and predicted outcomes in metastatic disease.
Usage
Usage note: Always specify numerical score (0-5) when documenting ECOG status.
In Context
- "The patient's ECOG performance status of 2 influenced the chemotherapy selection." — Treatment planning note
- "Clinical trial enrollment required ECOG performance status of 0-1." — Clinical trial protocol