Definition:
Sarcoidosis, also known as Besnier-Boeck disease, pertains to a disorder of the immune system characterized by non-caseating garnulomas that mostly affects young adults. The term is from the Greek words “sark” and “oid”, meaning “flesh-like”.
Diagnosis:
Sarcoidosis symptoms may mimic those of other disorders; therefore it is sometimes necessary to rule out other similar diseases before arriving at a diagnosis. Typically, Sarcoidosis is determined after a routine X-ray reveals a chest abnormality. To confirm the diagnosis, physicians need to study the patient's medical history as well as perform further physical exams.
Treatment:
Sarcoidosis is typically treated with corticosteroids, particularly prednisone, which slows or reverses the course of the disorder. However, some patients do not respond to steroid treatment.
Severe cases generally require steroids, steroid-sparing agents, or cyclophosphamide.
The use of immunosuppresants in clinical studies has demonstrated a degree of success, particularly with the use of interleukin-2 inhibitors or anti-tumor necrosis factor-alpha treatment. However, it is believed that this mode of treatment can produce significant side effects.
Symptoms and Signs:
Sarcoidosis is a systemic disorder that can affect virtually every organ in the body. However, granulomas more frequently occur in the lymph nodes or lungs. Symptoms may appear suddenly, but usually occur gradually. The severity of the disease varies from mild asymptomatic cases to a chronic potentially fatal condition.
Common signs of Sarcoidosis are fatigue, weight loss, lack of energy, arthralgia, blurry vision, dry eyes, shortness of breath, aches and pains, skin lesions, and a dry cough. Cutaneous symptoms may come in the form of rashes, small bulbs (noduli), lupus pernio, or erytheme nodosum.
If Sarcoidosis affects the kidneys, liver, heart, or brain, more severe manifestations may appear.
Causes:
The cause of Sarcoidosis remains unknown. However, it has been speculated that the potential pathogens are a type of cell wall deficient bacteria, which have not been identified in standard laboratory analysis. Meanwhile, other researchers have linked to disease to the involvement of Propionibacterium acnes.
It is also believed that Sarcoidosis has a hereditary factor, although no specific genetic marker has been identified to date. An alternative theory is that affected family members are exposed to the same environmental factors that trigger Sarcoidosis.
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