Sarcoidosis
Medical Author: William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR
What is sarcoidosis?
Sarcoidosis is a disease that results from a specific type of inflammation of
tissues of the body. It can appear in almost any body organ, but it starts most
often in
the lungs or lymph nodes.
The cause of sarcoidosis is unknown. The disease can
appear suddenly and disappear. Or it can develop gradually and go on
to produce symptoms that come and go, sometimes for a lifetime.
As sarcoidosis progresses, microscopic lumps of a specific form of inflammation, called granulomas, appear in the affected tissues. In the majority of cases, these granulomas
clear up, either with or without treatment. In the few cases where the
granulomas do not heal and disappear, the tissues tend to remain inflamed and
become scarred (fibrotic).
Sarcoidosis was first identified over 100 years ago by
two dermatologists working independently, Dr. Jonathan Hutchinson in England and
Dr. Caesar Boeck in Norway. Sarcoidosis was originally called Hutchinson's
disease or Boeck's disease. Dr. Boeck went on to fashion today's name for the
disease from the Greek words "sark" and "oid," meaning flesh-like. The term
describes the skin eruptions that
are frequently caused by the illness.
What are symptoms of sarcoidosis?
Shortness of breath (dyspnea) and a cough that won't go
away can be among the first symptoms of sarcoidosis. But sarcoidosis can also
show up suddenly with the appearance of skin rashes. Red bumps
(erythema nodosum) on
the face, arms, or shins and inflammation of the eyes are
also common symptoms.
It is not unusual, however, for sarcoidosis symptoms to be
more general. Weight loss, fatigue, night sweats, fever, or just an
overall feeling of ill health can also be clues to the disease.
Next: Who gets sarcoidosis? »
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Last Editorial Review: 1/18/2008
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