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Definition
By Mayo Clinic staffSarcoidosis (sahr-koi-DO-sis) is characterized by the development and growth of tiny clumps of inflammatory cells in different areas of your body — most commonly the lungs, lymph nodes, eyes and skin.
Doctors believe sarcoidosis results from an abnormal immune response — most likely to something inhaled from the air — but just what triggers this response isn't known. The course of sarcoidosis is variable from person to person. Often, it goes away on its own, but in some people signs and symptoms of sarcoidosis may last a lifetime.
If you have minor signs or symptoms of sarcoidosis, you may just need to be monitored until the illness resolves. But if signs or symptoms are bothersome or put vital organs at risk, treatment with prescription anti-inflammatory medications can be helpful.
- Sarcoidosis. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/sarc/sar_whatis.html. Accessed April 21, 2010.
- Ferri FF. Sarcoidosis. In: Ferri's Clinical Advisor 2010. Philadelphia, Pa.: Mosby Elsevier; 2009. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/196535409-4/986729825/2088/583.html#4-u1.0-B978-0-323-05609-0..00028-9--sc0020_11937. Accessed April 21, 2010.
- Weinberger SE. Sarcoidosis. In: Goldman L, et al. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/196535409-4/986729825/1492/382.html#4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-2805-5..50100-2_4032. Accessed April 21, 2010.
- Dempsey OJ, et al. Sarcoidosis. British Medical Journal. 2009;339:620.
- King TE. Patient information: Sarcoidosis. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed April 21, 2010.
- Rosenow EC (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. May 5, 2010.
- King CS, et al. Treatment of sarcoidosis. Disease a Month. 2009;55:704.
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