Disease-free survival

Disease-free survival (DFS) is a term used in medical research and clinical trials to refer to the period of time after treatment during which a patient survives without any signs or symptoms of that disease. It is often used as a statistical measure in assessing the effectiveness of a particular treatment.

Definition

DFS is defined as the length of time after primary treatment for a disease, such as cancer, that the patient survives without any signs or symptoms of that disease. In cancer research, DFS is one of the key measures used to determine the effectiveness of a treatment. It is often used in conjunction with overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) to provide a more complete picture of a treatment's effectiveness.

Calculation

The calculation of DFS involves determining the time from the date of diagnosis or the start of treatment to the date of disease recurrence or the last follow-up. Patients who die without a recurrence of the disease are considered to have had disease-free survival.

Use in Clinical Trials

In clinical trials, DFS is often used as a primary or secondary endpoint. It is particularly useful in trials involving diseases such as cancer, where the goal of treatment is not only to prolong life but also to improve the quality of life by reducing the symptoms and complications of the disease.

Limitations

While DFS is a useful measure, it has some limitations. For one, it does not take into account deaths from other causes. Additionally, it may not accurately reflect the quality of life, as a patient may be disease-free but still suffer from significant treatment-related side effects.

See Also

• Overall survival
• Progression-free survival
• Clinical trial
• Cancer research

Disease-free survival Resources
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