The disease can attack any organ of the body in any location. But it most frequently is found in the lungs. The disease is characterized by the presence of granulomas, small areas of inflamed cells. Granulomas can be either inside the body or on the body's exterior. These granulomatous lesions can also appear as sores on the face or shins.
Many sarcoidosis patients have no symptoms at all.
There also can be fatigue, weakness, and weight loss. These symptoms are common in many other lung diseases, so diagnosis may be difficult. In those cases where symptoms do appear outside the lung, they can include a scaly rash, red bumps on the legs, fever, soreness of the eyes, and pain and swelling of the ankles. Sarcoidosis is initially suspected based on a characteristic x-ray, laboratory tests, and pulmonary function studies. To confirm the diagnosis, a biopsy is usually performed on any of the affected organs or from material in a granuloma on the skin.