Sarcoidosis

Sarcoidosis is an immune system disorder characterised by non-necrotising granulomas (small inflammatory nodules). Virtually any organ can be affected, however, granulomas most often appear in the lungs or the lymph nodes. Symptoms can occasionally appear suddenly but more often than not appear gradually. When viewing X-rays of the lungs, sarcoidosis can have the appearance of tuberculosis or lymphoma.

Epidemiology

Sarcoidosis occurs throughout the world in any race. It is more commonly seen in blacks than whites, primarily people of northern European descent in the latter case. Pulmonary involvement is the most common presentation of sarcoidosis.

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