The World Association for Sarcoidosis and Other Granulomatous Disorders (WASOG) and the Foundation for Sarcoidosis Research (FSR) have designated the Temple Lung Center’s specialized sarcoidosis program as an official WASOG Sarcoidosis Clinic.
Temple is the only institution in Pennsylvania, and one of only 27 in the world to earn this designation. The designation provides formal recognition of Temple’s commitment to meeting the needs of sarcoidosis patients and efforts to keep abreast of the ongoing advances and findings in sarcoidosis treatment and research.
“Temple is honored to receive this recognition by WASOG and FSR, two of the world’s leading organizations in the advancement of sarcoidosis care, research and education,” says Rohit Gupta, MD, Assistant Professor of Thoracic Medicine and Surgery at the Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, and leader of Temple’s sarcoidosis program. “Sarcoidosis is a complex disease that requires specialized multidisciplinary care at a facility like the Temple Lung Center, which has expertise in the treatment of this condition. This is especially important for patients with advanced disease and with multisystem involvement. This recognition for Temple’s sarcoidosis program is further affirmation of the strength of the Lung Center’s many specialized programs.”
WASOG only recently began designating select programs as “sarcoidosis clinics” and plans to begin designating sarcoidosis “centers of excellence” in the future.
Sarcoidosis is an inflammatory disease that can involve many parts of the body, including the lungs, lymph nodes, eyes, skin, heart, liver, kidney, brain and muscles, among others. In at least 90 percent of cases, it affects the lungs (pulmonary sarcoidosis). Patients experience the formation of small, abnormal masses called granulomas. In some cases, those masses can affect the structure or function of the organs.
There is currently no cure for sarcoidosis and the exact cause of the uncontrolled inflammation is still being investigated. Symptoms and severity of sarcoidosis can vary widely depending on the organs involved. According to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, more than half of patients have remission, but many patients experience organ damage and progressive disease.
Treatments for sarcoidosis can include medications to suppress inflammation, but also include supportive measures such as lifestyle changes, oxygen therapy and pulmonary rehabilitation. In advanced cases, lung transplantation might be required.
The World Association for Sarcoidosis and Other Granulomatous Disorders utilizes information, education and state-of-the-art research to accomplish its goal of refining and optimizing the care of patients, and stimulating the development of appropriate treatment and the knowledge of physicians.
The Foundation for Sarcoidosis Research is the United States’ leading nonprofit organization dedicated to finding a cure for the disease and to improving care for sarcoidosis patients.