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Pulmonary Sarcoidosis

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What Is Pulmonary Sarcoidosis?

Pulmonary sarcoidosis is a condition that causes tiny groups of immune cells to clump in your lungs. These groups of cells form swollen, inflamed lumps called granulomas.

Granulomas can make it hard to breathe. They can also cause other lung symptoms. This condition sometimes improves without treatment. Pulmonary sarcoidosis may even go away on its own. In other cases, it affects your lung function long-term. It’s rare, but some people have pulmonary sarcoidosis along with sarcoidosis in other parts of their body.

Is Pulmonary Sarcoidosis Hereditary?

Pulmonary sarcoidosis can run in families. But there’s no inherited gene change (mutation) known to cause pulmonary sarcoidosis.

Is Pulmonary Sarcoidosis an Autoimmune Disease?

Pulmonary sarcoidosis isn’t traditionally considered an autoimmune disease. But it has some similarities to autoimmune diseases. In sarcoidosis, your immune system reacts and causes inflammation.

Pulmonary Sarcoidosis Causes and Risk Factors

Pulmonary sarcoidosis happens when your immune system overreacts, creating inflammation. Experts don’t know what exactly causes this reaction. Some factors make you more likely to develop pulmonary sarcoidosis:

  • African or Northern European heritage

  • Age between 20 and 60

  • Being assigned female at birth

  • Family history of pulmonary sarcoidosis

  • Working around dust or chemicals

Pulmonary Sarcoidosis Symptoms   

Pulmonary sarcoidosis symptoms vary widely. Some people have mild symptoms that slowly get worse. Others get severe symptoms quickly. In some cases, pulmonary sarcoidosis causes no symptoms.

There are several early signs of pulmonary sarcoidosis:

  • Chest pain

  • Dry coughing

  • Shortness of breath

  • Wheezing

Sometimes you have symptoms that aren’t related to your lungs:

  • Eye problems, such as blurry vision or burning sensations

  • Fatigue

  • Fever or night sweats

  • Joint pain

  • Skin changes, such as rashes or color changes

  • Swollen lymph nodes

See your primary care provider if you experience any of these symptoms. They will refer you to a lung specialist (pulmonologist) if needed.

Find Pulmonary Sarcoidosis Care

Pulmonary Sarcoidosis Stages

Your provider can determine the stage of your pulmonary sarcoidosis when they diagnose the condition. Stages don’t necessarily relate to how severe your symptoms are. They describe how your lungs look on an X-ray. 

  • Stage 0—Your lungs and lymph nodes show no granulomas.

  • Stage 1—You have granulomas in your lymph nodes.

  • Stage 2—You have granulomas in your lymph nodes and lungs.

  • Stage 3—You have granulomas in your lungs only.

  • Stage 4—You have lung scarring (pulmonary fibrosis).

These stages aren’t progressive. You may move between stages, and granulomas may disappear. The only stage that isn’t curable is lung scarring, which is permanent.

Pulmonary Sarcoidosis Treatment

How we treat pulmonary sarcoidosis depends on your symptoms. You may not need treatment if your symptoms don’t disrupt your life. Your health care provider may monitor your lungs with regular image tests. The tests let them see if your inflammation worsens.

Medication is the main treatment for pulmonary sarcoidosis. These medicines reduce inflammation:

  • Corticosteroids suppress inflammation throughout your body.

  • Immunosuppressants keep your immune system from causing inflammation.

  • Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) reduce symptoms caused by inflammation.

  • Anti-tumor necrosis factor-alpha antibodies target specific parts of your immune system to reduce inflammation.

Pulmonary Sarcoidosis and Lung Transplant

Most people with pulmonary sarcoidosis don’t need a lung transplant. You may benefit from a lung transplant if you have severe, irreversible lung scarring and damage. Our lung transplant team provides full-spectrum, exceptional care for patients with advanced lung disease.

Can Pulmonary Sarcoidosis Be Cured? 

There’s no known cure for pulmonary sarcoidosis. But sometimes it goes away on its own. About two-thirds of people diagnosed with sarcoidosis don’t have it anymore within two to three years.

Why Choose Â鶹ѧÉú¾«Æ·°æ?

At U of U Health, you have access to comprehensive pulmonary services. Our pulmonologists are experienced experts in treating advanced lung diseases, including sarcoidosis. They care for patients, research new treatments, and train the next generation of physician-leaders.

You benefit from advanced technology, including pulmonary function testing and diagnostic evaluation with bronchoscopy and endobronchial ultrasound. We provide full-spectrum pulmonology care, delivered with compassion, to help you manage sarcoidosis and improve your quality of life.

Make an Appointment

Call 801-581-5943 to schedule an appointment with the Sarcoidosis Program. You do not need a referral, but some insurance plans require them. Contact your insurance carrier with any questions about your plan requirements.