Specialists at the Temple Lung Center treat hundreds of patients every year through our Pulmonary Fibrosis Program. With more than 200 known types of interstitial lung disease that may result in pulmonary fibrosis, it requires a team of experts working together to diagnose and treat this complex condition. While there is still no cure for pulmonary fibrosis, Temple offers promising new therapies combined with long-term support to help our patients live longer and breathe better with the best quality of life possible.

Although extensive research has been done, our understanding of pulmonary fibrosis is still evolving. There’s still much to learn about how pulmonary fibrosis develops, what steps we can take to prevent it, and how we can contribute to the discovery of life-saving treatments. Our involvement in groundbreaking clinical trials helps put us at the cusp of new findings and gain the knowledge and technology to bring those treatments to you.

Temple’s Pulmonary Fibrosis Program features:

• The renowned expertise of Temple’s Lung Center team, including pulmonary specialists and members of Temple’s Lung Transplant team
• A diverse team of experts who collaborate from every discipline linked to pulmonary fibrosis, including Medical Genetics, Infectious Diseases, Gastroenterology, Pulmonology, Respiratory Therapy, Cardiology, Sleep Medicine, Diagnostic Radiology and Pathology
• Access to the latest medications that help slow the progress of lung scarring, including anti-fibrotic medications such as nintedanib and pirfenidone
• Involvement in the latest clinical trials evaluating novel therapies in the treatment of interstitial lung diseases such as pulmonary fibrosis and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis
• A robust Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program to help patients optimize long-term health and overcome the challenge of acute exacerbations
• The highest level of acute care for hospitalization support when needed
• A Palliative Care Program with a focus on quality of life for you and your loved ones
• The nation’s largest Lung Transplant Program in volume for 5 consecutive years (2022 Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients data)

Getting the Right Diagnosis

Pulmonary fibrosis is challenging to diagnose, partly because early symptoms can be ignored or mistaken for other more treatable conditions. On average, patients see 3 or more doctors before they receive the correct diagnosis. Yet early and accurate diagnosis is critical to finding the most effective treatment and support for pulmonary fibrosis patients. Since pulmonary fibrosis is an extremely complex condition and largely diagnosed through exclusion, it’s important to work with a team who has extensive experience in identifying the specific type of pulmonary fibrosis you have.

Our Pulmonary Fibrosis team meets monthly so that experts of multiple specialties including rheumatology, pulmonology, pathology, and radiology can discuss and collaborate on the diagnosis and treatment plans of our patients.

Temple’s Pulmonary Fibrosis Program is committed to helping patients with this respiratory disease. Our understanding of the disease along with our experience in helping hundreds of patients helps give you the best opportunity for early treatment that will not only improve your breathing but also may extend your life.

Ready for an Appointment?

If you're experiencing signs or symptoms of pulmonary fibrosis, schedule an appointment or call 800-TEMPLE-MED (800-836-7536) today.

Learn more about our doctors and care team who diagnose and treat pulmonary fibrosis.

Page medically reviewed by:
Massa Zantah, MD
August 26, 2022