Identify the patient's functional status according to the Karnofsky scale (0-100) to determine suitability for aggressive interventions.
Guidelines & Evidence
Clinical Details
Section 1
When to Use
When to Use
Baseline assessment for all neuro-oncology patients.
Determining surgical candidacy for high-grade gliomas and brain metastases.
Section 2
Literature
Development
Developed in 1948 by Drs. David Karnofsky and Joseph Burchenal. Originally designed to evaluate the clinical efficacy of nitrogen mustard chemotherapy regimens. It became the bedrock functional scale in neuro-oncology due to its granular 10-point increments compared to the more compressed ECOG scale.
Section 3
Pearls/Pitfalls
A Trajectory Marker
KPS is just a snapshot. The trajectory (e.g., dropping from KPS 90 to KPS 60 over 2 weeks versus 6 months) often drives surgical decision-making more than the absolute number.
Section 4
Evidence Appraisal
Primary Reference
The Clinical Evaluation of Chemotherapeutic Agents in Cancer
Karnofsky DA et al. • Evaluation of Chemotherapeutic Agents. 1949;Columbia University Press
