Others believe that the disease is a basic problem in alteration of the cellular immune system. Ninety percent of the cases of sarcoidosis are found in the lungs. If pulmonary sarcoidosis is serious, it can develop into pulmonary fibrosis, which is the abnormal formation of fiber-like scar tissue in the lung. This actually distorts the structure of the lungs and can interfere with breathing, especially the ability to exchange oxygen in the lung. In a majority of patients, the disease spontaneously disappears, and no treatment is necessary.
Drugs called corticosteroids are the most important treatment used in fighting sarcoidosis.
Some physicians prescribe steroids when there are no symptoms but just abnormalities seen on the chest X ray or in lung function measurements. Other physicians wait for symptoms to appear before prescribing corticosteroids. The sarcoidosis patient should follow his or her doctor's directions. This frequently can be just continuation of a normal lifestyle. When drugs are prescribed, they should be taken faithfully, just as the physician directs.