Specialized treatment keeps sarcoidosis under control | Moves in Medicine

NORTH PLAINFIELD, N.J. (WPVI) — The immune system helps protect us against disease, but sometimes, it becomes the source of trouble. That’s the case with sarcoidosis.

“I apparently had it since I was around 25,” says Andy Kaplan of North Plainfield, NJ.

But Andy didn’t know he had sarcoidosis until his 40s, when he had lung x-rays for an unrelated procedure.

“They thought I was dying of cancer because my lungs looked like they had been smoking all their life. And I never had,” Andy says.

Andy’s lungs actually had scarring from granulomas – clusters of immune cells.

“We don’t know the cause of the disease per se, but the thought is that some sort of antigen triggers that inflammation,” says Dr. Rohit Gupta, director of Temple Health’s Sarcoidosis Program.

Dr. Gupta says granulomas can form almost anywhere, but are most common in the lungs or lymph nodes.

Symptoms vary by location, so it could be shortness of breath, persistent dry cough, swollen lymph nodes, joint or bone pain, red bumps on the skin, or red or sore eyes.

The condition also varies in WHO it affects.

“In the U.S., African-American population, especially the women,” he notes.

It also appears in Northern Europe and Japan.

“Interestingly, there (in Japan) the disease is actually a lot more common to involve the heart,” Dr. Gupta explains.

Like Andy discovered, sarcoidosis is often found during tests for other issues.

“My body compensated for the lack of oxygen all the time. Never thought about it,” he says.

Because there’s no single test for it, a doctor’s experience, imaging, specialized tests, and patient history are important.

Andy’s tests also showed high blood pressure in his lungs. He says some of his medications were created for other conditions, not specifically for sarcoidosis, however, they do control his symptoms.

“They’re holding me steady, and that’s a win,” he says.

Dr Gupta says clinical research at Temple could answer key questions.

“Why patients evolve the way they evolve, why they progress at certain rates,” and others, he says.

Andy can’t do as much with his grandkids as he used to, but is happy he’s still independent.

“Right now I have my own freedom. I take care of myself. I live a pretty good life. I can do nearly everything that I want to,” Andy says philosopically.

And he says life takes a little more planning these days, but he still travels as much as he can.

For more on Andy’s story, visit TempleHealth.org.