Sarcoidosis

Sarcoidosis is a condition that causes the immune system to make lumps or nodules. These lumps are called granulomas and can form in many parts of the body, but are commonly found in the lungs, lymph nodes, eyes, skin, and even the heart.

Granulomas are clusters of white blood cells that may be surrounded by a fibrous tissue. They can cause symptoms, depending on the part of the body they are growing in, and their size. Sometimes, they cause no symptoms.

Sometimes, granulomas can turn into fibrosis, which causes lung scarring.

What are the symptoms of sarcoidosis?

Symptoms of sarcoidosis will depend on where the granulomas have formed. Symptoms generally include:

• Fatigue
• Fever
• Muscle aches
• Joint pain
• Weight loss
• Kidney stones
• Swollen lymph nodes.

If granulomas have formed in your lungs, symptoms may include:

• Chest pain
• Cough or wheezing
• Shortness of breath.

If granulomas have formed in your eyes, symptoms may include:

• Eye pain
• Blurred vision
• Swollen or red eyes.

If granulomas have formed on your skin, symptoms may include:

• Tender lumps on your shins
• Red/purple rash on your cheeks or nose
• Light/dark patches
• Growths near scars. If granulomas have formed on your heart, symptoms may include:
• Palpitations
• Chest pain.

What causes sarcoidosis?

The exact cause of sarcoidosis is unknown, but doctors believe it may be caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors. However, the combination of these factors that can trigger sarcoidosis isn’t understood, which means doctors can’t predict its onset.

How is sarcoidosis diagnosed?

Your doctor will perform a physical examination, imaging tests and a biopsy to diagnose sarcoidosis. Other tests may be performed to rule out other conditions.

How is sarcoidosis treated?

Treatment involves managing the symptoms of sarcoidosis and preventing organ damage. Treatment will vary depending on where in the body granulomas have formed.

If sarcoidosis symptoms aren’t affecting you, treatment may not be needed straight away.

There isn’t a cure for sarcoidosis, but it sometimes goes away on its own.

Medication may be given which aims to suppress the immune system. This may include corticosteroids, immunosuppressants or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).

Most cases of sarcoidosis require treatment from a multidisciplinary team of specialists and usually involve a pulmonologist due to the frequency of involvement of the lungs.