What is ECOG Performance Status?

ECOG PS is a 0–5 grading scale developed by the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group to measure how cancer affects a patient's daily living ability. Grade 0 means fully active; grade 5 means death. It is widely used in clinical trials and treatment guidelines to standardize patient functional assessment.

How does ECOG PS differ from Karnofsky Performance Status?

Both scales measure functional ability but use different ranges. ECOG PS runs 0–5 (fewer grades, simpler). Karnofsky runs 0–100 in 10-point steps (finer granularity). ECOG 0 ≈ KPS 100, ECOG 1 ≈ KPS 80–90, ECOG 2 ≈ KPS 60–70, ECOG 3 ≈ KPS 40–50, ECOG 4 ≈ KPS 10–30, ECOG 5 = KPS 0.

Which ECOG grades are typically eligible for chemotherapy?

Most clinical trials and standard chemotherapy regimens accept ECOG 0–2. ECOG 3–4 patients are generally excluded from aggressive therapy due to high toxicity risk, though palliative treatments may still apply. Always confirm against the specific protocol.

Is ECOG PS the same as WHO Performance Status?

Yes. The WHO Performance Status scale uses the same 0–5 criteria as ECOG PS. The terms are interchangeable in oncology literature and clinical practice.

Can ECOG PS change over time?

Yes. ECOG PS should be reassessed at each clinic visit. Worsening PS (increasing grade) may indicate disease progression or treatment toxicity and should prompt treatment re-evaluation. Improving PS may allow dose escalation or trial enrollment.

ECOG Performance Status Scale

Name: ECOG Performance Status Scale
Availability: InStock
Author: Nham Vu

Select patient functional ability criteria to determine ECOG PS grade (0–5) for oncology treatment eligibility and clinical trial enrollment.

Select Patient Functional Status

Choose the grade that best describes the patient's current ability.

WHO/Zubrod Equivalent —

Karnofsky Range —

Select a grade on the left

The clinical interpretation will appear here.

ECOG Scale Quick Reference

Grade	Description	KPS

Summary

Select patient functional ability criteria to determine ECOG PS grade (0–5) for oncology treatment eligibility and clinical trial enrollment.

How it works

Read each ECOG grade description from 0 (fully active) to 5 (dead).
Select the grade that best matches the patient's current functional status.
Review the clinical interpretation and trial eligibility guidance for that grade.
Use the result alongside clinical judgment for treatment planning.
Reference the WHO/Zubrod correlation table if mapping to other scales.

Use cases

Determine patient eligibility for clinical trial enrollment.
Guide treatment intensity decisions in oncology care.
Document patient functional status for oncology records.
Compare functional decline over successive clinic visits.
Align patient status with WHO/Zubrod performance scale equivalents.

Frequently Asked Questions

Last updated: 2026-07-23 · Reviewed by Nham Vu