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Definition

By Mayo Clinic staff

Sarcoidosis is the growth of tiny collections of inflammatory cells in different parts of your body — most commonly the lungs, lymph nodes, eyes and skin.

Doctors believe sarcoidosis results from the body's immune system responding to an unknown substance, most likely something inhaled from the air. There is no cure for sarcoidosis, but most people do very well with modest treatment. Sarcoidosis often goes away on its own. Alternatively, signs and symptoms of sarcoidosis may last for years and sometimes lead to organ damage.

Symptoms
References
  1. Ferri FF. Ferri's Clinical Advisor 2013:5 Books in 1. Philadelphia, Pa.: Mosby Elsevier; 2012. http://www.mdconsult.com/books/about.do?eid=4-u1.0-B978-0-323-08373-7..00002-9&isbn=978-0-323-08373-7&about=true&uniqId=343863096-23. Accessed Oct. 31, 2012.
  2. Goldman L, et al. Cecil Medicine. 24th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2012. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/191371208-2/0/1492/0.html#. Accessed Oct. 31, 2012.
  3. Baughman RP, et al. A concise review of pulmonary sarcoidosis. American Journal of Respiratory and Clinical Care Medicine. 2011;183:573.
  4. AskMayoExpert. What is the treatment for sarcoidosis? Rochester, Minn.: Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research; 2012.
  5. AskMayoExpert. Is sarcoidosis considered an urgent situation? Rochester, Minn.: Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research; 2012.
  6. AskMayoExpert. What are the clinical symptoms of sarcoidosis? Rochester, Minn.: Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research; 2012.
  7. O'Regan A, et al. Sarcoidosis. Annals of Internal Medicine. 2012;156:ICT5:1.
  8. AskMayoExpert. If sarcoidosis is suspected, should the patient be referred to a pulmonologist? Rochester, Minn.: Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research; 2012.
  9. Morgenthau AS, et al. Recent advances in sarcoidosis. Chest. 2011;139:174.
  10. AskMayoExpert. What clinical tests should be performed when sarcoidosis is suspected? Rochester, Minn.: Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research; 2012.
  11. AskMayoExpert. What are the considerations for treatment of sarcoidosis symptoms? Rochester, Minn.: Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research; 2012.
DS00251 Jan. 10, 2013

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