CARG-Breast Cancer (CARG-BC) Chemo-Toxicity Tool

This tool is designed for use by clinicians with appropriate knowledge of breast cancer. The tool was developed to classify older patients (age >65) with early-stage breast cancer into low, intermediate, and high risk for grade 3-5 (severe) chemotherapy toxicity. The score was developed in a prospective sample of 283 women and externally validated in 190 women from 16 sites across the US. The score was shown to better predict toxicity compared to prior models (e.g., Karnfosky performance status) in this population, and was strongly associated with dose reductions, dose delays, early treatment discontinuation, reduced dose intensity, and hospitalizations. This tool should NOT be used as the only factor in deciding to administer and/or alter the dose or schedule of chemotherapy, but rather it should be a facilitator of the conversation around treatment between the patient and clinician, along with clinical judgment and patient preferences.

spacer

Caution: This tool should not be used for male patients.

Anthracycline-based regimen

Breast cancer stage

Planned treatment duration

Liver function (LFTs)

Hemoglobin

Number of falls in the past 6 months

Limited in walking more than one mile

Someone to give you good advice about a crisis

CARG-BC Toxicity Score

Risk of Chemotherapy Toxicity

Scoring: The total CARG-BC risk score is the sum of point(s) assigned to the eight independent clinical and geriatric assessment predictors of grade 3-5 chemotherapy toxicity in patients age 65 years and older with early stage breast cancer. Each patient’s total CARG-BC score can then be classified into three risk groups: low (0-5 points), intermediate (6-11 points), or high (≥12 points).

spacer

If you need to collect the information in stages you can download a paper form and fill in the online form at a later date.

Last Updated on July 26, 2024