What environmental factors can cause sarcoidosis?

In conclusion, sarcoidosis is associated with several environmental exposures including infectious agents, non-infectious organic antigens, metals, combustible products, and other inorganic substances.

Is there a link between sarcoidosis and cancer?

Sarcoidosis is associated with an increased risk for cancer development in several organs like lung, liver, stomach or for melanoma and lymphoma. Sarcoid-like reactions can be found in 13.8% of patients with Hodgkin-disease, 7.3% with non Hodgkin lymphoma and 4.4% of cases with carcinomas (4,5).

What is the leading cause of sarcoidosis?

The cause of pulmonary sarcoidosis is unknown. Experts think that bacteria, viruses, or chemicals might trigger the disease. It may also be genetic. This means a person is more likely to develop sarcoidosis if someone his or her close family has it.

What chemicals can cause sarcoidosis?

Inhalation of metal dust or fume can cause granulomatous lung disease that mimics sarcoidosis. Particular metals that possess antigenic properties which promote granuloma formation include aluminum, barium, beryllium, cobalt, copper, gold, rare earths (lanthanides), titanium, and zirconium.

Who is most at risk for sarcoidosis?

Although anyone can develop sarcoidosis, people of African and Scandinavian descent are more at risk. Both men and women can be diagnosed with sarcoidosis, but it is more common in women. People between 20 to 40 years of age are more likely to develop sarcoidosis than others.

How often does sarcoidosis turn into cancer?

The immunosuppressants can be linked to a theoretical increased risk of malignancy. However, in 2012, Maneiro et al. reported an incidence rate of cancer of 1 per 100 patients-year in sarcoidosis patients treated with TNFi (93).

Is sarcoidosis the same as cancer?

Sarcoidosis is not cancer; nor is it contagious. Although it can occur in families, it is not inherited. Usually the disease is not disabling; most people with sarcoidosis live normal lives.

What kind of dust causes sarcoidosis?

Exposure to respirable silica dust increases the risk of sarcoidosis among men between 20 and 65 years of age. The risk seems to be higher among exposed men 35 years or younger and older men with longer exposure (>6 years).

Can cancer be misdiagnosed as sarcoidosis?

Sarcoidosis is a rare condition that is often misdiagnosed as malignant tumors due to the similar clinical manifestations and imaging findings.

What is the pathophysiology of sarcoidosis?

Although its etiology is still unknown; sarcoidosis is thought to be the consequence of an exaggerated immune response to an environmental trigger in a genetically predisposed patient. Mortality in sarcoidosis is mainly represented by respiratory failure due to pulmonary fibrosis, central nervous system involvement, and cardiac damage (2, 3).

Is sarcoidosis a risk factor for lung cancer?

Indeed, in this series, the risk of lymphoma was 11 times higher in the sarcoidosis group, compared to the expected risk of lymphoma in the general population. The risk of developing lung cancer was 3 times higher than the one expected in the general population.

What are the signs and symptoms of sarcoidosis?

Sarcoidosis, a multisystem disorder of unknown etiology, commonly presents clinically with bilateral hilar adenopathy, pulmonary infiltrates, skin and/or eye lesions, or a combination of these features. Bone and joint manifestations occur less commonly.

How is sarcoidosis differentiated from cancer-associated granulomatosis?

Differentiating sarcoidosis from cancer-associated granulomatosis is difficult. Atypical presentation of sarcoidosis (atypical organ involvement or refractory disease) may alert the clinician. There is currently no alternative to the histological examination to differentiate sarcoidosis from neoplasia.