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Karnofsky Performance Status Scale

Determines ability of patient to tolerate chemotherapy.

INSTRUCTIONS
For patients ≥ 16 years old. Useful to use over time to track disease
progression.

When to Use Pearls/Pitfalls Why Use

Patient Description Normal no complaints; no evidence of

disease

Able to carry on normal activity; minor

signs or symptoms of disease

Normal activity with effort; some

signs or symptoms of disease

Cares for self; unable to carry on

normal activity or to do active work

Requires occasional assistance, but is

able to care for most of his personal
needs

Requires considerable assistance and

frequent medical care

Disabled; requires special care and

assistance

Severely disabled; hospital admission

is indicated although death not
imminent

Very sick; hospital admission

necessary; active supportive
treatment necessary

Moribund; fatal processes progressing

rapidly

Dead
Result:
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 Next Steps Evidence  Creator Insights

Dr. David Karnofsky

ABOUT THE CREATOR

David A. Karnofsky, MD, (d. 1969) was an oncologist at Sloan-Kettering Institute
for Cancer Research. He specialized in cancer chemotherapy and affiliated with
the division of experimental chemotherapy.
To view Dr. David Karnofsky's pubications, visit PubMed
(https://www.ncbi.nm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=Karnofsky+DA%5BAuthor%5D)

Are you Dr. David Karnofsky? Send us a message to review your photo and bio,
and find out how to submit Creator Insights! (mailto:team@mdcalc.com)

MDCalc loves calculator creators – researchers who, through intelligent and

often complex methods, discover tools that describe scientific facts that can
then be applied in practice. These are real scientific discoveries about the
nature of the human body, which can be invaluable to physicians taking care of
patients.

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cancer-patients)

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