Progression Free Survival refers to the length of time that a patient with cancer remains alive without their disease getting worse. The spelling of "Progression Free Survival" can be explained with the use of the International Phonetic Alphabet, where the "p" is pronounced as /p/ and the "r" as /ɹ/. The "o" is pronounced as /ɑ/ in the American accent, while in the British accent it is pronounced as /əʊ/. The "g" is pronounced as /ɡ/ and the "s" as /s/. The "i" is pronounced as /ɪ/ and the "on" as /ɑn/. Finally, the "free" is pronounced as /fɹiː/.
Progression-free survival (PFS) is a term used in clinical trials and medical research to measure the length of time during which a patient's disease does not worsen or progress. Specifically, it refers to the period from the initiation of a treatment or intervention until the disease starts progressing again, or until the patient's death, if death occurs without any sign of disease progression.
PFS is commonly used as an important endpoint or outcome measure in clinical trials evaluating the effectiveness of new drugs or treatments for various diseases, especially cancer. In such trials, patients are regularly monitored to assess if their disease is stabilizing or progressing. If the disease remains stable for a defined period of time, it is considered as progression-free survival.
PFS is of great significance as it helps researchers and clinicians determine the efficacy of a treatment in terms of delaying or preventing disease progression. It is an important measure to understand the potential benefit a specific drug or therapy provides to patients in terms of time without disease worsening. By comparing PFS between different treatment groups or between various interventions, researchers can draw conclusions about the relative effectiveness of the treatments being studied.
Progression-free survival is a valuable parameter in clinical research and trials, providing insights into the effectiveness of treatments and helping clinicians make informed decisions about the management of diseases. It enables better understanding of the impact of interventions on the overall course and progression of a disease, contributing to advancements in medical knowledge and patient care.