1. Is nodular disease a tumor?
Nodular disease is a granulomatous disease that can accumulate in all systems of the body and is characterized by non-caseating necrotic granulomas, not a neoplastic disease. The chest (lungs and mediastinum, hilar lymph nodes) is the best site for nodular disease, followed by the skin and eyes.
2.What are the common clinical manifestations of intrathoracic nodular disease?
Generally, there are no obvious clinical symptoms of intrathoracic nodular disease, and most of them are detected during routine chest radiography during physical examination. Some patients may have cough, wheezing and other respiratory symptoms, often accompanied by weakness, weight loss, low fever and other manifestations.
3.What is the prevalence of nodular disease in which groups?
Nodular disease is more prevalent in women aged 30-55.
4.What causes nodular disease?
The etiology and pathogenesis of nodular disease are unknown, and may be related to infection by certain pathogens, environmental factors, etc.
5.Is nodular disease contagious?
Nodular disease is not an infectious disease. However, there are reports in the literature of simultaneous onset of nodular disease in the same family or in the same unit, the exact cause of which is not known.
6.Is nodular disease a genetic disease?
Nodular disease is not a genetic disease, but people with certain susceptible genetic backgrounds may be susceptible to nodular disease under the action of external environmental factors.
7.When there is a patient with nodular disease in the family, do other immediate family members need to be screened for nodular disease?
It is not necessary to routinely screen immediate family members who do not have similar symptoms.
8.What organs can be involved in nodular disease?
Nodular disease most often involves the lungs, mediastinum and hilar lymph nodes, followed by the skin and eyes. In addition, the liver, superficial lymph nodes, heart, kidneys, pulmonary vessels, bones, spleen and other tissues and organs can be involved.
9. Do all patients with nodal disease need to receive treatment?
It has been found that about 2/3 of patients with nodular disease can heal on their own, about 1/3 of patients need to receive treatment, and about 5% of patients may suffer irreversible damage to important organs or even die despite active treatment.
10.What are the commonly used drugs for the treatment of nodular disease?
Glucocorticoids are the first choice of treatment. For patients with poor response to glucocorticosteroids, contraindications to glucocorticosteroid use and relapse, cytotoxic drugs can be considered. Methotrexate is the most commonly used cytotoxic drug at present. In addition, hydroxychloroquine can also be considered for patients with nodular disease with skin as the main manifestation.
In recent years, anti-tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α antagonist) or leflunomide has also been used abroad to treat some refractory nodular diseases.