CLL patients should receive the following physical health tests to help identify the stage of the disease, risk factors, and assess their overall health. The information gained from these health tests helps determine treatment decisions for the patient.
CLL patients can expect their doctor to check their physical health to help identify if there are any physical manifestations of CLL.
CLL patients will be asked if they are experiencing any of the following disease-related symptoms. Doctors often refer to these as B symptoms.
Patients can expect their care team to ask about their health history. Topics may include:
The patient’s doctor will ask them about their ability to complete day-to-day activities. The test used is called The Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) Performance Status test. The scoring system includes:
0 - Fully active, able to carry on all pre-disease performance without restriction
1 - Restricted in physically strenuous activity but ambulatory and able to carry out work of a light or sedentary nature, e.g., light housework, office work
2 - Ambulatory and capable of all self-care but unable to carry out any work activities; up and about more than 50% of waking hours
3 - Capable of only limited self-care; confined to bed or chair for more than 50% of waking hours
4 - Completely disabled; cannot carry on any self-care; totally confined to bed or chair
5 - The patient is deceased
Talk to your CLL specialist about any questions that you may have related to medical tests. Need help finding a CLL specialist? Check out HealthTree’s CLL specialist directory here.
CLL patients should receive the following physical health tests to help identify the stage of the disease, risk factors, and assess their overall health. The information gained from these health tests helps determine treatment decisions for the patient.
CLL patients can expect their doctor to check their physical health to help identify if there are any physical manifestations of CLL.
CLL patients will be asked if they are experiencing any of the following disease-related symptoms. Doctors often refer to these as B symptoms.
Patients can expect their care team to ask about their health history. Topics may include:
The patient’s doctor will ask them about their ability to complete day-to-day activities. The test used is called The Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) Performance Status test. The scoring system includes:
0 - Fully active, able to carry on all pre-disease performance without restriction
1 - Restricted in physically strenuous activity but ambulatory and able to carry out work of a light or sedentary nature, e.g., light housework, office work
2 - Ambulatory and capable of all self-care but unable to carry out any work activities; up and about more than 50% of waking hours
3 - Capable of only limited self-care; confined to bed or chair for more than 50% of waking hours
4 - Completely disabled; cannot carry on any self-care; totally confined to bed or chair
5 - The patient is deceased
Talk to your CLL specialist about any questions that you may have related to medical tests. Need help finding a CLL specialist? Check out HealthTree’s CLL specialist directory here.
about the author
Megan Heaps
Megan joined HealthTree in 2022. As a writer and the daughter of a blood cancer patient, she is dedicated to helping patients and their caregivers understand the various aspects of their disease. This understanding enables them to better advocate for themselves and improve their treatment outcomes. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family.
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