This Patient with Sarcoidosis Was Misdiagnosed With Lung Cancer

Frank Rivera, of Stronger that Sarcoidosis and Sarcoidosis of Long Island, two patient advocacy groups focused on raising awareness and research towards sarcoidosis, discusses his diagnostic odyssey.
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 it can also involve other organs such as 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, he was misdiagnosed with lung cancer and was not diagnosed with sarcoidosis seven years later. As a result, his disease is a chronic condition that has to be managed daily. If diagnosed early, the disease can often go into remission with standard corticosteroid treatment.
A diagnosis of sarcoidosis requires a thorough evaluation, including a detailed medical history, physical examination, laboratory tests, imaging studies, and tissue biopsy.
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