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Definition Return to top
Sarcoidosis is a disease of unknown cause in which inflammation occurs in the lymph nodes, lungs, liver, eyes, skin, and/or other tissues.Causes, incidence, and risk factors Return to top
The cause of the disease is unknown. Tissue samples from affected organs show clusters of immune cells (macrophages, lymphocytes, and multinucleated giant cells). These clusters are called granulomas.
Possible causes include a hypersensitive response to some factor in the environment, a genetic predisposition, or an extreme immune response to infection. The incidence varies widely according to race and sex.
The disease is most common among North Americans of African heritage and Northern European Caucasians. Women of African heritage are affected more than men of African heritage. The onset of the disease usually occurs in people between 30 and 50 years old. Sarcoidosis is very rare in young children.
Symptoms Return to top
Additional symptoms that may be associated with this disease:
Note: There may be no symptoms.
Signs and tests Return to top
This disease may also alter the results of the following tests:
Treatment Return to top
Sarcoidosis symptoms often gradually resolve on their own without treatment.
Severely affected patients may require treatment with corticosteroids. Therapy may continue for one or two years, although some of the most severely affected may require life-long therapy.
Immunosuppressive agents, such as methotrexate, azathioprine, and cyclophosphamide, are sometimes used in addition to corticosteroids. Rarely, some individuals with irreversible organ failure require organ transplantation.
Expectations (prognosis) Return to top
Many people are not seriously ill, and the disease may resolve without treatment. Thirty to fifty percent of cases resolve without treatment in 3 years. About 20% of those with lung involvement will develop residual lung damage. Death from sarcoidosis is rare.
Complications Return to top
Calling your health care provider Return to top
Call your health care provider if difficulty breathing, vision changes, palpitations, or other symptoms suggestive of this disorder develop.
Update Date: 2/6/2003 Updated by: David A. Kaufman, M.D., Pulmonary & Critical Care Medicine, University of Pennsylvania Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
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Page last updated: 28 October 2004 |