Synonyms

• Schaumann's Disease
• Sarcoid of Boeck

Disorder Subdivisions

• Acute Sarcoidosis; Heerferdt-Waldenstrom and Lofgren's Syndromes (Included)
• Subacute Sarcoidosis
• Chronic Sarcoidosis

General Discussion

Sarcoidosis is a multisystem disorder that most often affects individuals between 20 and 40 years of age. Females appear to be affected more frequently than males. Sarcoidosis is characterized by the abnormal formation of inflammatory masses or nodules (granulomas) consisting of certain granular white blood cells (modified macrophages or epithelioid cells) in certain organs of the body. The granulomas that are formed are thought to alter the normal structure of and, potentially, the normal functions of, the affected organ(s), causing symptoms associated with the particular body system(s) in question. In individuals with sarcoidosis, such granuloma formation most commonly affects the lungs. However, in many cases, the upper respiratory system, lymph nodes, skin, and/or eyes may be involved. In addition, in some cases, other organs may be affected, including the liver, bone marrow, spleen, musculoskeletal system, heart, salivary glands, and/or nervous system (i.e., central or peripheral nervous system).

The range and severity of symptoms associated with sarcoidosis vary greatly, depending upon the specific organ(s) involved and the degree of such involvement. In some cases, the symptoms of sarcoidosis may begin suddenly (acute), sometimes severely, and subside in a relatively short period of time (self limited). Acute sarcoidosis is often characterized by fatigue, fever, generalized muscle aches, difficulty breathing (dyspnea), joint pain, swollen glands, skin eruptions, eye irregularities, and/or other symptoms. In the subacute form, affected individuals may experience no symptoms (asymptomatic), even with organ involvement. In the chronic form of sarcoidosis, symptoms may appear slowly and subtly, and may persist or recur over a long time span. Initial symptoms of the chronic form of the disorder may include difficulty breathing (dyspnea), dry cough, limited airflow, and other respiratory abnormalities. Symptoms associated with other organ involvement may follow.

The exact cause of sarcoidosis is not known. However, possible infectious, environmental, genetic, and immunological factors are under investigation as potential causes of the disorder.

Resources

American Autoimmune Related Diseases Association, Inc.
22100 Gratiot Ave.
East Detroit, MI 48021
Tel: (586)776-3900
Fax: (586)776-3903
Tel: (800)598-4668
Email: aarda@aarda.org
Internet: http://www.aarda.org/

American Lung Association
1301 Pennsylvania Ave NW
Suite 800
Washington, DC 20004
USA
Tel: (202)785-3355
Fax: (202)452-1805
Tel: (800)586-4872
Email: info@lungusa.org
Internet: http://www.lungusa.org

NIH/National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases
Information Clearinghouse
One AMS Circle
Bethesda, MD 20892-3675
USA
Tel: (301)495-4484
Fax: (301)718-6366
Tel: (877)226-4267
TDD: (301)565-2966
Email: NIAMSinfo@mail.nih.gov
Internet: http://www.niams.nih.gov/

NIH/National Eye Institute
31 Center Dr
MSC 2510
Bethesda, MD 20892-2510
United States
Tel: (301)496-5248
Fax: (301)402-1065
Email: 2020@nei.nih.gov
Internet: http://www.nei.nih.gov/

NIH/National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute
P.O. Box 30105
Bethesda, MD 20892-0105
Tel: (301)592-8573
Fax: (301)251-1223
Email: nhlbiinfo@rover.nhlbi.nih.gov
Internet: http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/

National Sarcoidosis Resource Center
P.O. Box 1593
Piscataway, NJ 08855-1593
Tel: (732)699-0733
Fax: (732)699-0882
Email: sconroy846@aol.com
Internet: http://www.nsrc-global.net

Sarcoid Networking Association
5302 South Sheridan Avenue
Tacoma, WA 98408-3535
Tel: (253)826-7737
Fax: (253)826-7737
Email: sarcoidinformation@sarcoidosisnetwork.org
Internet: http://www.sarcoidosisnetwork.org

Sarcoidosis Online Sites (S.O.S.)
P.O. Box 150549
Cape Coral, FL 33915
Tel: (239)945-2414
Email: SarcoidosisOnlineSites@gmail.com
Internet: http://www.sarcoidosisonlinesites.com

Sarcoidosis Center
6005 Park Ave
Suite 501
Memphis, TN 38119
USA
Tel: (901)761-5877
Fax: (901)761-2280
Email: sarcoid@sarcoidcenter.com
Internet: http://www.sarcoidcenter.com

Ocular Immunology and Uveitis Foundation
5 Cambridge Center
8th Floor
Cambridge, MA 02142
Tel: (617)621-6377
Fax: (781)431-2042
Tel: (866)353-6377
Email: fosters@comcast.net
Internet: http://www.uveitis.org

Foundation for Sarcoidosis Research
122 South Michigan Avenue, Suite 1700
Chicago, IL 60603
USA
Tel: (312)341-0500
Fax: (312)322-9808
Tel: (866)358-5477
Email: info@stopsarcoidosis.org
Internet: http://www.stopsarcoidosis.org

MUMS National Parent-to-Parent Network
150 Custer Court
Green Bay, WI 54301-1243
USA
Tel: (920)336-5333
Fax: (920)339-0995
Tel: (877)336-5333
Email: mums@netnet.net
Internet: http://www.netnet.net/mums/

Erythema Nodosum Yahoo Support Group
Internet: http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/erythema_nodosum_Group/

Genetic and Rare Diseases (GARD) Information Center
PO Box 8126
Gaithersburg, MD 20898-8126
Tel: (301)251-4925
Fax: (301)251-4911
Tel: (888)205-2311
TDD: (888)205-3223
Internet: http://rarediseases.info.nih.gov/GARD/

Center for Peripheral Neuropathy
University of Chicago
5841 South Maryland Ave, MC 2030
Chicago, IL 60637
Tel: (773)702-5659
Fax: (773)702-5577
Internet: http://peripheralneuropathycenter.uchicago.edu/

Madisons Foundation
PO Box 241956
Los Angeles, CA 90024
Tel: (310)264-0826
Fax: (310)264-4766
Email: getinfo@madisonsfoundation.org
Internet: http://www.madisonsfoundation.org

Autoimmune Information Network, Inc
PO Box 4121
Brick, NJ 08723
Fax: (732)543-7285
Email: autoimmunehelp@aol.com

European Society for Immunodeficiencies
1-3 rue de Chantepoulet
Geneva, CH 1211
Switzerland
Tel: +31 73-6992965
Fax: +41 22 906 91 40
Email: esid@kenes.com
Internet: http://www.esid.org

Janine Sarcoidosis Outreach Foundation
12600 Bissonnet
A4
Houston, TX 77099
Tel: (832)248-6621
Fax: (281)568-5775
Tel: (800)846-5158
Email: sarcoidosis@jsof.org
Internet: http://www.jsof.org/

AutoImmunity Community
Email: moderator@autoimmunitycommunity.org
Internet: http://www.autoimmunitycommunity.org

For a Complete Report

This is an abstract of a report from the National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD). A copy of the complete report can be downloaded free from the NORD website for registered users. The complete report contains additional information including symptoms, causes, affected population, related disorders, standard and investigational therapies (if available), and references from medical literature. For a full-text version of this topic, go to www.rarediseases.org and click on Rare Disease Database under "Rare Disease Information".

The information provided in this report is not intended for diagnostic purposes. It is provided for informational purposes only. NORD recommends that affected individuals seek the advice or counsel of their own personal physicians.

It is possible that the title of this topic is not the name you selected. Please check the Synonyms listing to find the alternate name(s) and Disorder Subdivision(s) covered by this report

This disease entry is based upon medical information available through the date at the end of the topic. Since NORD's resources are limited, it is not possible to keep every entry in the Rare Disease Database completely current and accurate. Please check with the agencies listed in the Resources section for the most current information about this disorder.

For additional information and assistance about rare disorders, please contact the National Organization for Rare Disorders at P.O. Box 1968, Danbury, CT 06813-1968; phone (203) 744-0100; web site www.rarediseases.org or email orphan@rarediseases.org

Last Updated:  5/2/2008
Copyright  1986, 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2002, 2004 National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc.