Frank Rivera, a sarcoidosis patient, discusses his diagnostic journey, including a lung cancer misdiagnosis. Mr. Rivera is a member of Stronger that Sarcoidosis and Sarcoidosis of Long Island, two patient advocacy groups focused on raising awareness and research towards sarcoidosis.
Sarcoidosis is a rare inflammatory disorder characterized by the formation of granulomas (i.e., small clusters of immune cells) in various organs and tissues. This condition primarily affects the lungs but can involve other organs including the skin, eyes, liver, heart, and lymph nodes.
As noted by Mr. Rivera, the diagnosis of sarcoidosis is often by a process of elimination. In Mr. Rivera’s case, medical professionals gave him a lung cancer diagnosis. His sarcoidosis diagnosis did not come until seven years later. As a result, he must manage his disease daily as it is a chronic condition. If diagnosed early, the disease can often go into remission with standard corticosteroid treatment.
A diagnosis of sarcoidosis requires a thorough evaluation. This includes a detailed look into medical history, physical examination, laboratory tests, imaging studies, and tissue biopsy.
To stay up-to-date on this and other rare immunologic disorders, visit checkrare.com/diseases/autoimmune-auto-inflammatory-disorders/
