are part of the immune system. Here are some other parts of the immune system. Lymph nodes are bean-sized collections of lymphocytes. There are about 600 lymph nodes found throughout the body – in the neck, armpits, chest, abdomen, groin and some other parts of the body. Lymphatic vessels connect the lymph nodes. They contain lymph, a fluid that carries lymphocytes. The spleen is an organ found on the left side of the body, near the stomach. It contains lymphocytes and removes worn-out cells from the blood. Some Parts of the Immune System Spleen The normal immune system helps to protect the body from infection. Marrow Lymph nodes are located throughout the body L page 10 I 800.955.4572 I www.LLS.org About Lymphoma Lymphoma starts with a change to a lymphocyte (a type of white blood cell). The change to the lymphocyte causes it to become a lymphoma cell. The lymphoma cells pile up and form lymphoma cell masses. These masses gather in the lymph nodes or other parts of the body. Choosing a Specialist Choose a doctor who specializes in treating lymphoma and knows about the most up-to-date treatments. This type of specialist is usually called a hematologist-oncologist. Or your local cancer specialist can work with a lymphoma specialist. Ways to Find a Lymphoma Specialist { Ask your primary care doctor. { Contact your community cancer center. { Call your local medical society. { Reach out to doctor and/or health plan referral services. { Call our Information Specialists. { Use online doctor-finder resources, such as { The American Medical Association’s (AMA) “DoctorFinder.” { The American Society of Hematology’s (ASH) “Find a Hematologist.” You can view, print or order the free LLS publication Choosing a Blood Cancer Specialist or Treatment Center at www.LLS.org/resourcecenter or contact our Information Specialists for a copy. Want more information? L The Lymphoma Guide I page 11 Ask Your Doctor Talk with the doctor and ask questions about how he or she plans to treat your lymphoma. This will help you to be actively involved in your care and to make decisions. This Guide includes questions to ask your doctor about lymphoma treatment (see the inside back cover). It may be helpful to write down the answers to your questions and review them later. You may want to have a caregiver, family member or friend with you when you talk to your doctor. This person can listen, take notes and offer support. Some people like to record information from the doctor and then listen to the recording later on. People with lymphoma who are unsure about their treatment options are encouraged to get a second opinion. Pretreatment Considerations Adults of childbearing age and parents of children diagnosed with lymphoma should ask their doctors for information that may lessen the risk for infertility. For a list of Healthcare Question Guides about second opinions and other topics that you can print, go to www.LLS.org/whattoask. You can view, print or order the free LLS publication Fertility at www.LLS.org/resourcecenter or contact our Information Specialists for a copy. Want more information? L page 12 I 800.955.4572 I www.LLS.org Part 2 Hodgkin Lymphoma You can view, print or order the free LLS publication Hodgkin Lymphoma at www.LLS.org/resourcecenter or contact our Information Specialists for a copy. Want more information? Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) is one of the most curable forms of cancer. Doctors do not know what causes most cases of Hodgkin lymphoma. There is no way to prevent lymphoma and you can not catch lymphoma from someone else. It is commonly diagnosed when a person is in his or her 20s or 30s. It is less common in middle age and becomes more common again after age 60. Signs and Symptoms The most common sign of Hodgkin lymphoma is one or more enlarged (swollen) lymph nodes. The enlarged lymph node may be in the neck, upper chest, armpit, abdomen or groin. It is usually painless. A sign is a change in the body that the doctor sees in an exam or a test result. A symptom is a change in the body that a patient can see or feel. Signs and symptoms of Hodgkin lymphoma may include { Swollen lymph nodes { Cough and shortness of breath {