Karnofsky Performance Status (also known as Performance Status, Karnofsky, Status, Karnofsky Performance): A performance measure for rating the ability of a person to perform usual activities, evaluating a patient's progress after a therapeutic procedure, and determining a patient's suitability for therapy. It is used
NIH MeSH · D017567Analytical, Diagnostic and Therapeutic Techniques and Equipment
Karnofsky Performance Status
Also known asPerformance Status, Karnofsky · Status, Karnofsky Performance · Karnofsky Index · Index, Karnofsky · Karnofsky Performance Status Scale · Karnofsky Scale · Scale, Karnofsky
Definition
A performance measure for rating the ability of a person to perform usual activities, evaluating a patient's progress after a therapeutic procedure, and determining a patient's suitability for therapy. It is used most commonly in the prognosis of cancer therapy, usually after chemotherapy and customarily administered before and after therapy. It was named for Dr. David A. Karnofsky, an American specialist in cancer chemotherapy.
MeSH classification
E05.318.308.980.438.475.456.500.500
N05.715.360.300.800.438.375.364.500.500
N06.850.520.308.980.438.475.364.500.500
Need clinical context, treatments, or patient-language explanation?
Common questions about Karnofsky Performance Status
What does Karnofsky Performance Status mean in medicine?
A performance measure for rating the ability of a person to perform usual activities, evaluating a patient's progress after a therapeutic procedure, and determining a patient's suitability for therapy. It is used most commonly in the prognosis of cancer therapy, usually after chemotherapy and customarily administered before and after therapy. It was named for Dr. David A. Karnofsky, an American specialist in cancer chemotherapy. This definition is taken from the National Library of Medicine's MeSH (Medical Subject Headings) 2026 release, which is the standard vocabulary used to index PubMed and most medical literature.
Is Karnofsky Performance Status known by any other names?
Yes. Karnofsky Performance Status is also referred to as Performance Status, Karnofsky, Status, Karnofsky Performance, Karnofsky Index, Index, Karnofsky in different clinical, research and patient-facing contexts. The MeSH descriptor groups all of these synonyms under a single canonical concept so research and records stay consistent.
Where does Karnofsky Performance Status sit in the medical classification?
Karnofsky Performance Status falls under the broader medical category "Analytical, Diagnostic and Therapeutic Techniques and Equipment" in the MeSH hierarchy (tree numbers: E05.318.308.980.438.475.456.500.500, N05.715.360.300.800.438.375.364.500.500, N06.850.520.308.980.438.475.364.500.500). Browsing the related concepts on this page takes you to neighbouring topics in the same branch of medicine.
Where can I get a plain-language explanation of Karnofsky Performance Status?
For a plain-language explanation of Karnofsky Performance Status - including symptoms, treatments and what it means for an Indian patient - ask GoDavaii's Health AI. It works in 22+ Indian languages, is free and needs no signup. Tap "Ask GoDavaii AI about Karnofsky Performance Status" above.