Doctor's Notes on Sarcoidosis
Sarcoidosis is a disease in which inflammation affects various tissues of the body. Sarcoidosis can appear in almost any body organ, but it starts most often in the lungs or lymph nodes. Other commonly affected organs include the liver, skin, heart, nervous system, and kidneys. In sarcoidosis, microscopic lumps of a specific form of inflammation (granulomas) develop in the affected tissues. In most cases, these granulomas go away with or without treatment. In the few cases in which the granulomas do not heal and disappear, the tissues involved can remain inflamed and become scarred (fibrotic).
Symptoms of sarcoidosis depend on the area of the body that is affected and may include
- shortness of breath and a cough that won't go away,
- skin rashes (tender, raised, red bumps on the shins of the legs, or less frequently on the arms, are common and can cause leg or arm pain),
- inflammation of the eyes,
- weight loss,
- fatigue,
- night sweats,
- fever, or
- an overall feeling of ill health.
Sarcoidosis is usually not crippling and it often goes away on its own within 24 to 36 months.
What is the treatment for sarcoidosis?
No cure for sarcoidosis exists although some people have the disease resolve over time. Medications are usually prescribed when symptoms increase or organ function is disrupted.
- Medications
- Corticosteroids
- Immune system suppressors
- Hydroxychloroquine
- TNF-alpha inhibitors
Other treatments like physical therapy, pulmonary rehab, and/or cardiac pacemaker/defibrillator may be required, depending on the severity of symptoms.
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How Does a Person Get Sarcoidosis?
Sarcoidosis is a rare inflammatory condition that produces clumps of inflammatory cells (noncaseating granulomas) typically in the lungs and lymph nodes in the chest cavity. The cause of sarcoidosis is unknown. It may be genetic, or possibly triggered by bacteria, viruses, or chemicals. -
Solitary Pulmonary Nodule
A solitary pulmonary nodule (SPN) is a single lung abnormality. Causes of a solitary pulmonary nodule include neoplastic growths, sarcomas, infectious agents, inflammatory conditions, congenital malformations, and a miscellaneous group of causes. Most people do not know they have a solitary pulmonary nodule as it is generally discovered as an incidental finding. Treatment for solitary pulmonary nodule depends on the size and characteristics of the nodule. -
What Is the Life Expectancy of a Person with Sarcoidosis?
Sarcoidosis can appear in almost any body organ, but it most often starts in the lungs or lymph nodes. It can also affect the eyes, liver, and skin; and less often it affects the spleen, bones, joints, skeletal muscles, heart, and central nervous system. In the majority of cases, the granulomas clear up with or without treatment.
REFERENCE:
Kasper, D.L., et al., eds. Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine, 19th Ed. United States: McGraw-Hill Education, 2015.