Related Subjects:
|Neutropenic Sepsis
|Oncological emergencies
|Spinal Cord Compression
|Brain Tumours
|Cancer of Unknown Primary
|Head and Neck Cancers
Karnofsky Performance Status Scale
The Karnofsky Performance Status (KPS) scale is a standard way of measuring the ability of cancer patients to perform ordinary tasks. It is used to assess the functional status of a patient and to determine the prognosis and appropriate treatment options.
Scale Description
- 100 - Normal; no complaints; no evidence of disease.
- 90 - Able to carry on normal activity; minor signs or symptoms of disease.
- 80 - Normal activity with effort; some signs or symptoms of disease.
- 70 - Cares for self; unable to carry on normal activity or to do active work.
- 60 - Requires occasional assistance but is able to care for most personal needs.
- 50 - Requires considerable assistance and frequent medical care.
- 40 - Disabled; requires special care and assistance.
- 30 - Severely disabled; hospitalization is indicated, although death not imminent.
- 20 - Very sick; hospitalization necessary; active supportive treatment necessary.
- 10 - Moribund; fatal processes progressing rapidly.
- 0 - Dead.
Interpretation
- 80-100: Patients are able to carry on normal activities and to work; no special care is needed.
- 50-70: Patients are unable to work but can live at home and care for most personal needs with varying amounts of assistance.
- 0-40: Patients are unable to care for themselves; they require institutional or hospital care or constant nursing care and support.
Clinical Use
- Prognosis: Higher scores generally indicate a better prognosis and longer survival times.
- Treatment Decisions: The scale helps in determining the patient's ability to withstand treatments like chaemotherapy, radiation, or surgery.
- Monitoring: The KPS scale can be used to monitor changes in a patient's functional status over time.
Summary
The Karnofsky Performance Status scale is an important tool in oncology for assessing a cancer patient's functional status, determining prognosis, and making informed treatment decisions. The scale ranges from 0 (dead) to 100 (normal, no complaints), with higher scores indicating better functionality and prognosis.