Sarcoidosis

Summary

Sarcoidosis is a disease that leads to inflammation, usually in your lungs, skin, or lymph nodes. It starts as tiny, grain-like lumps, called granulomas. Sarcoidosis can affect any organ in your body.

No one is sure what causes sarcoidosis. It affects men and women of all ages and races. It occurs mostly in people ages 20 to 50, African Americans, especially women, and people of Northern European origin.

Many people have no symptoms. If you have symptoms, they may include:

• Cough
• Shortness of breath
• Weight loss
• Night sweats
• Fatigue

Tests to diagnose sarcoidosis include chest x-rays, lung function tests, and a biopsy. Not everyone who has the disease needs treatment. If you do, prednisone, a type of steroid, is the main treatment.

NIH: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute

National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute

Patient Handouts

• ACE blood test Medical Encyclopedia
• Neurosarcoidosis Medical Encyclopedia
• Pulmonary function tests Medical Encyclopedia
• Sarcoidosis Medical Encyclopedia

Find an Expert

• American Lung Association American Lung Association
• National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute

Encyclopedia

• Bronchoscopy Medical Encyclopedia
• Calcium – urine Medical Encyclopedia
• Chest x-ray Medical Encyclopedia
• Interstitial lung disease – adults – discharge Medical Encyclopedia
• Lung diffusion testing Medical Encyclopedia
• Lung gallium scan Medical Encyclopedia
• Mediastinoscopy with biopsy Medical Encyclopedia
• Phosphorus blood test Medical Encyclopedia
• Upper airway biopsy Medical Encyclopedia

Specifics

• Cardiac Sarcoidosis National Jewish Health
• Neurosarcoidosis National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke

Clinical Trials

• ClinicalTrials.gov: Sarcoidosis National Institutes of Health

Start Here

• Learn about Sarcoidosis American Lung Association
• Sarcoidosis American Academy of Family Physicians
• What Is Sarcoidosis? National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute

Diagnosis and Tests

• Lung Function Tests National Library of Medicine
• Tests for Lung Disease National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute

Journal Articles

• Sarcoidosis