Sarcoidosis

Sarcoidosis is an inflammatory disease that can affect many organs of the body, most commonly the lungs. The inflammation causes the formation of nodules, called granulomas, in the affected organs.

• Sarcoidosis is an inflammatory disease in which the immune system overreacts, causing clusters of inflamed tissue called "granulomas" to form in different organs of the body.
• Sarcoidosis most commonly affects the lungs and lymph nodes, but it can also affect the eyes, skin, heart and nervous system.
• Sarcoidosis is a rare disease. The Foundation for Sarcoidosis Research estimates that there are fewer than 200,000 cases per year in the United States.
• African-Americans are three times more likely to be diagnosed with sarcoidosis than Caucasians and tend to have more severe disease.
• In severe cases, sarcoidosis can be life-threatening if it progresses to heart or severe lung disease.

The symptoms of sarcoidosis vary from person to person and depend greatly on what area of the body is being affected. In some people, symptoms will appear suddenly and go away quickly.  Others may not experience any symptoms for years, even though granulomas are forming in their organs. Some people experience severe disease in one or multiple organs. General symptoms of sarcoidosis include: 

• Fatigue
• Swollen lymph nodes
• Fever
• A feeling of discomfort or illness
• Pain and swelling in the joints 
• Weight loss 
• Depression 

People whose sarcoidosis affects the lung will usually, but not always, also have some respiratory symptoms, such as:

• Persistent dry cough
• Wheezing
• Shortness of breath
• Chest pain

Several different tests will be performed to exclude other diseases as the source of symptoms and to determine which body systems are affected.  To confirm a diagnosis, a needle or open lung tissue sample biopsy is required.

 Several different medications are prescribed to treat sarcoidosis.

• Corticosteroids or prednisone
• Methotrexate
• Antimalarial
• TNF inhibitors
• Cortiocotropin