Sarcoidosis

Overview

Sarcoidosis is a disease characterized by the growth of tiny collections of inflammatory cells (granulomas) in any part of your body — most commonly the lungs and lymph nodes. But it can also affect the eyes, skin, heart and other organs.

The cause of sarcoidosis is unknown, but experts think it results from the body's immune system responding to an unknown substance. Some research suggests that infectious agents, chemicals, dust and a potential abnormal reaction to the body's own proteins (self-proteins) could be responsible for the formation of granulomas in people who are genetically predisposed.

There is no cure for sarcoidosis, but most people do very well with no treatment or only modest treatment. In some cases, sarcoidosis goes away on its own. However, sarcoidosis may last for years and may cause organ damage.

Symptoms

Signs and symptoms of sarcoidosis vary depending on which organs are affected. Sarcoidosis sometimes develops gradually and produces symptoms that last for years. Other times, symptoms appear suddenly and then disappear just as quickly. Many people with sarcoidosis have no symptoms, so the disease may be discovered only when a chest X-ray is done for another reason.

General symptoms

Sarcoidosis can begin with these signs and symptoms:

Fatigue
Swollen lymph nodes
Weight loss
Pain and swelling in joints, such as the ankles

Lung symptoms

Sarcoidosis most often affects the lungs and may cause lung problems, such as:

Persistent dry cough
Shortness of breath
Wheezing
Chest pain

Skin symptoms

Sarcoidosis may cause skin problems, which may include:

A rash of red or reddish-purple bumps, usually located on the shins or ankles, which may be warm and tender to the touch
Disfiguring sores (lesions) on the nose, cheeks and ears
Areas of skin that are darker or lighter in color
Growths under the skin (nodules), particularly around scars or tattoos

Eye symptoms

Sarcoidosis can affect the eyes without causing any symptoms, so it's important to have your eyes checked regularly. When eye signs and symptoms do occur, they may include:

Blurred vision
Eye pain
Burning, itching or dry eyes
Severe redness
Sensitivity to light

Heart symptoms

Signs and symptoms related to cardiac sarcoidosis may include:

Chest pain
Shortness of breath (dyspnea)
Fainting (syncope)
Fatigue
Irregular heartbeats (arrhythmias)
Rapid or fluttering heart beat (palpitations)
Swelling caused by excess fluid (edema)

Sarcoidosis can also affect calcium metabolism, the nervous system, the liver and spleen, muscles, bones and joints, the kidneys, lymph nodes, or any other organ.

When to see a doctor

See your doctor if you have signs and symptoms of sarcoidosis.

Causes

Doctors don't know the exact cause of sarcoidosis. Some people appear to have a genetic predisposition to develop the disease, which may be triggered by bacteria, viruses, dust or chemicals.

This triggers an overreaction of your immune system, and immune cells begin to collect in a pattern of inflammation called granulomas. As granulomas build up in an organ, the function of that organ can be affected.

Risk factors

While anyone can develop sarcoidosis, factors that may increase your risk include:

Age and sex. Sarcoidosis can occur at any age, but often occurs between the ages of 20 and 60 years. Women are slightly more likely to develop the disease.
Race. People of African descent and those of Northern European descent have a higher incidence of sarcoidosis. African-Americans are more likely to have involvement of other organs along with the lungs.
Family history. If someone in your family has had sarcoidosis, you're more likely to develop the disease.

Complications

Sometimes sarcoidosis causes long-term problems.

Lungs. Untreated pulmonary sarcoidosis can lead to permanent scarring in your lungs (pulmonary fibrosis), making it difficult to breathe and sometimes causing pulmonary hypertension.
Eyes. Inflammation can affect almost any part of your eye and may cause damage to the retina, which can eventually cause blindness. Rarely, sarcoidosis also can cause cataracts and glaucoma.
Kidneys. Sarcoidosis can affect how your body handles calcium, which can lead to kidney stones and reduce kidney function. Rarely, this can lead to kidney failure.
Heart. Cardiac sarcoidosis results in granulomas in your heart that can disrupt heart rhythm, blood flow and normal heart function. In rare instances, this may lead to death.
Nervous system. A small number of people with sarcoidosis develop problems related to the central nervous system when granulomas form in the brain and spinal cord. Inflammation in the facial nerves, for example, can cause facial paralysis.

Diagnosis

Sarcoidosis can be difficult to diagnose because the disease often produces few signs and symptoms in its early stages. When symptoms do occur, they may mimic those of other disorders.

Your doctor will likely start with a physical exam and discuss your symptoms. He or she will also listen carefully to your heart and lungs, check your lymph nodes for swelling, and examine any skin lesions.

Diagnostic tests can help exclude other disorders and determine what body systems may be affected by sarcoidosis. Your doctor may recommend tests such as:

Blood and urine tests to assess your overall health and how well your kidneys and liver are functioning
Chest X-ray to check your lungs and heart
Computerized tomography (CT) scan of the chest to check your lungs
Lung (pulmonary) function tests to measure lung volume and how much oxygen your lungs deliver to your blood
Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) to detect heart problems and monitor the heart's status
Eye exam to check for vision problems that may be caused by sarcoidosis
Positron emission tomography (PET) scan or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) if sarcoidosis seems to be affecting your heart or central nervous system

Other tests may be added, if needed.

Biopsies

Your doctor may order a small sample of tissue (biopsy) be taken from a part of your body believed to be affected by sarcoidosis to look for the granulomas commonly seen with the condition. For example, biopsies can be taken from your skin if you have skin lesions and from the lungs and lymph nodes if needed.

Treatment

There's no cure for sarcoidosis, but in many cases, it goes away on its own. You may not even need treatment if you have no symptoms or only mild symptoms of the condition. The severity and extent of your condition will determine whether and what type of treatment is needed.

Medications

If your symptoms are severe or organ function is threatened, you will likely be treated with medications. These may include:

Corticosteroids. These powerful anti-inflammatory drugs are usually the first line treatment for sarcoidosis. In some cases, corticosteroids can be applied directly to an affected area — via a cream to a skin lesion or drops to the eyes.
Medications that suppress the immune system. Medications such as methotrexate (Trexall) and azathioprine (Azasan, Imuran) reduce inflammation by suppressing the immune system.
Hydroxychloroquine. Hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil) may be helpful for skin lesions and elevated blood-calcium levels.
Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) inhibitors. These medications are commonly used to treat the inflammation associated with rheumatoid arthritis. They can also be helpful in treating sarcoidosis that hasn't responded to other treatments.

Other medications may be used to treat specific symptoms or complications.

Other treatments

Depending on your symptoms or complications, other treatments may be recommended. For example, you may have physical therapy to reduce fatigue and improve muscle strength, pulmonary rehabilitation to decrease respiratory symptoms, or an implanted cardiac pacemaker or defibrillator for heart arrhythmias.

Ongoing monitoring

How often you see your doctor can vary based on your symptoms and treatment. Seeing your doctor regularly is important — even if you don't need treatment.

Your doctor will monitor your symptoms, determine the effectiveness of treatments and check for complications. Monitoring may include regular tests based on your condition. For example, you may have regular chest X-rays, lab and urine tests, EKGs, and exams of the lungs, eyes, skin and any other organ involved. Follow-up care may be lifelong.

Surgery

Organ transplant may be considered if sarcoidosis has severely damaged your lungs, heart or liver.

Lifestyle and home remedies

In addition to treatment, these self-care tips can help:

Take your medication as prescribed. Even if you start to feel better, don't stop taking your medication without talking with your doctor. Keep all follow-up appointments and ongoing monitoring. Let your doctor know if you have new symptoms.
Make healthy lifestyle choices. These can include eating a healthy diet, maintaining a healthy weight, managing stress and getting adequate sleep.
Participate in regular physical activity. Engaging in regular physical exercise can improve mood, strengthen muscles and help reduce fatigue that can interfere with your daily activities.

Coping and support

Although sarcoidosis may go away by itself, some people's lives are forever altered by the disease. If you're having trouble coping, consider talking with a counselor. Participating in a sarcoidosis support group may also be helpful.

Preparing for an appointment

Because sarcoidosis often involves the lungs, you may be referred to a lung specialist (pulmonologist) to manage your care. Taking a family member or friend along can help you remember something that you missed or forgot.

What you can do

Here's some information to help you get ready for your appointment and know what to expect from your doctor.

Before your appointment, make a list of:

Your symptoms, including when they started and how they may have changed or worsened over time
All medications, vitamins, herbs or supplements you're taking, and their dosages
Key medical information, including other diagnosed conditions
Questions to ask your doctor

Questions to ask your doctor may include:

What's the most likely cause of symptoms?
What kinds of tests do I need? Do these tests require any special preparation?
How might this condition affect me?
What treatments are available, and which do you recommend?
Are there medications that might help?
How long will I need to take medication?
What are some of the side effects of the medication you're recommending?
I have other health conditions. How can we best manage these conditions together?
What can I do to help myself?
Are there any brochures or other printed materials that I can have?
What websites do you recommend for more information?

Don't hesitate to ask other questions during your appointment.

What to expect from your doctor

Be ready to answer questions your doctor may ask:

What types of symptoms are you experiencing? When did they start?
Do you know if anyone in your family has ever had sarcoidosis?
What types of medical conditions have you had in the past or do you have now?
What medications or supplements do you take?
Have you ever been exposed to environmental toxins, such as in a manufacturing or farming job?

Your doctor will ask additional questions based on your responses, symptoms and needs. Preparing and anticipating questions will help you make the most of your time with the doctor.