WASOG Designates Temple Lung Center As Official Sarcoidosis Clinic

The World Association for Sarcoidosis and Other Granulomatous Disorders (WASOG) and the Foundation for Sarcoidosis Research (FSR) have designated Temple Lung Center’s specialized sarcoidosis program as an official WASOG Sarcoidosis Clinic, one of only 27 such designations in the world.

The WASOG Sarcoidosis Clinic designation recently was developed by the two organizations to help patients navigate care options. To be designated an official clinic, programs should have a multidisciplinary team of specialized medical and paramedical professionals and a specialized long-term facility, as well as conduct research, support, and training, among other details.

“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,” Rohit Gupta, MD, head of Temple’s sarcoidosis program, said in a Temple news story.

“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,” Gupta added.

Sarcoidosis is an inflammatory disease that can affect several areas of the body, including the lungs, lymph nodes, heart, brain, and others. The disease leads to the formation of small masses, called “granulomas,” that can affect the structure of organs. Left untreated, sarcoidosis can lead to fibrosis, a permanent thickening or scarring of organ tissue. Currently, there is no cure.

Temple’s sarcoidosis program offers treatment with corticosteroids to reduce inflammation (steroids are often the first line of sarcoidosis treatment to stabilize symptoms as soon as possible); immune-suppressants (to suppress an overactive immune system, which is thought to be the cause of sarcoidosis; they are often used when corticosteroids are ineffective); or biological agents (medications designed to inhibit specific parts of the immune system that play a role in causing inflammation).

Pulmonary sarcoidosis is the most common manifestation of the disease, present in about 90% of cases, according to Temple researchers. Patients with severe sarcoidosis may need oxygen therapy to ease or improve breathing, and lung transplantation may be needed in advanced cases, Temple says.