How should I interpret a CTCAE (Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events) score of 376?

Medical Advisory BoardAll articles are reviewed for accuracy by our Medical Advisory Board
Educational purpose only • Exercise caution as content is pending human review
Article Review Status
Submitted
Under Review
Approved

Last updated: February 26, 2026View editorial policy

Personalize

Help us tailor your experience

Which best describes you? Your choice helps us use language that's most understandable for you.

Understanding "CTCA C Score 376"

There appears to be a fundamental misunderstanding in your question: a "CTCA C score of 376" does not exist in medical terminology. You are likely confusing two completely different medical concepts that need clarification.

What You Might Actually Mean

Option 1: Coronary CT Angiography (CTCA) Calcium Score

If you're referring to cardiac imaging, "CTCA" typically means Coronary CT Angiography, and a calcium score of 376 would indicate:

  • Moderate to severe coronary artery calcification (Agatston score of 376)
  • This represents significant atherosclerotic plaque burden
  • This is NOT a CTCAE score - it's a cardiovascular risk assessment
  • A calcium score of 376 places you in a higher risk category for coronary artery disease
  • This requires cardiology follow-up, not oncology adverse event management

Option 2: CTCAE (Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events)

If you're asking about CTCAE, this is an entirely different system:

  • CTCAE is a grading scale from 1-5, not a numerical score like 376 1, 2
  • Grade 1 = mild adverse event 2
  • Grade 2 = moderate adverse event 2
  • Grade 3 = severe adverse event 2
  • Grade 4 = life-threatening or disabling 1, 2
  • Grade 5 = death 1, 2
  • A score of "376" cannot exist in the CTCAE system 1, 2

Critical Clarification Needed

You must clarify which test you actually received:

  • If this is a cardiac calcium score from a CT scan of your heart, you need cardiology evaluation for cardiovascular risk management
  • If you're trying to understand cancer treatment side effects, CTCAE uses grades 1-5 only, never three-digit numbers 1, 2
  • The CTCAE system is designed specifically for grading toxicities from cancer therapies and combines objective clinical measurements with subjective patient symptoms 2

Common Pitfall to Avoid

Do not confuse cardiovascular imaging scores with oncology adverse event grading systems - they are completely unrelated medical assessments used in different clinical contexts. Contact the physician who ordered your test to clarify exactly what "CTCA C score 376" means in your specific situation.

References

Guideline

Guideline Directed Topic Overview

Dr.Oracle Medical Advisory Board & Editors, 2025

Guideline

CTCAE Grading System for Adverse Events in Cancer Treatment

Praxis Medical Insights: Practical Summaries of Clinical Guidelines, 2026

Professional Medical Disclaimer

This information is intended for healthcare professionals. Any medical decision-making should rely on clinical judgment and independently verified information. The content provided herein does not replace professional discretion and should be considered supplementary to established clinical guidelines. Healthcare providers should verify all information against primary literature and current practice standards before application in patient care. Dr.Oracle assumes no liability for clinical decisions based on this content.

Have a follow-up question?

Our Medical A.I. is used by practicing medical doctors at top research institutions around the world. Ask any follow up question and get world-class guideline-backed answers instantly.