What does "ECOG performance status" assess?

The ECOG performance status, developed by the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group, is a standardized scale used to assess a patient's level of functioning in terms of their daily activities. This scale helps healthcare professionals gauge how well a patient can perform self-care and engage in usual activities, which is crucial for evaluating their overall health and ability to tolerate cancer treatments. The levels range from fully active to completely disabled, which provides an important framework for determining a patient's suitability for various therapeutic interventions and clinical trials.

Understanding a patient's performance status is essential for treatment planning and managing expectations, particularly in oncology, where the impact of cancer and its treatments on daily functioning is significant.