According to Stanford Medicine, amyloidosis is a disease where abnormal sheet-like patterns of proteins exist in organs and tissues. The general term amyloidosis describes four particular types that are defined by the specific protein found.The Merck Manuals describe sarcoidosis as a collection of inflammatory cells, called granulomas, that form hard lumps or nodules in body organs or tissues.
Symptoms
Symptoms of amyloidosis vary from minimal to life threatening. The Merck Manual lists fatigue, edema, or fluid buildup, unexplained bleeding and weight loss as common symptoms. Other symptoms depend on the organ affected and include Alzheimer's disease if the affected organ is the brain.
Many people with sarcoidosis have no symptoms at all with granulomas discovered only by chance on x-ray. According to the Merck Manual, if symptoms develop they are typically mild and include fever and night sweats, fatigue, chest pain, weight loss and aching joints. Sarcoidosis most often affects the lungs, skin or lymph nodes, according to the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis of amyloidosis requires a specialist to study a biopsy under a microscope using particular stains. According to Stanford Medicine, common sites for the biopsy are abdominal fat, bone marrow, kidneys or the heart.
The Merck Manual notes that a diagnosis of sarcoidosis requires chest-xrays, a CT, or computed tomography, scan and a biopsy, usually taken from the lungs.
Risk Factors
Amyloidosis is broken into four groups with different risk factors as noted by the Merck Manuals. Primary amyloidosis is often associated with a type of cancer called multiple myeloma. Secondary amyloidosis can develop in response to long-term inflammation such as rheumatoid. The inherited form, hereditary amyloidosis, occurs in people from Japan, Portugal and Sweden. Senile amyloidosis is associated with normal aging, and often seen by the age of 80. The Merck Manual states that all forms are twice as common in men as in women.
The Merck Manuals note sarcoidosis most often develops between the ages of 20 and 40, with a typical patient being African-American or of Scandinavian ancestry.
Treatment
There is no cure for amyloidosis and outcomes are often poor. Stanford Medicine reports that more recent treatment options became available in the last few years. The focus of treatment is on stopping further protein deposits and may include steroids and chemotherapy.
The Merck Manual notes that sarcoidosis clears spontaneously in almost two thirds of patients. Most patients do not need any treatment. The National Heart Lung and Blood Institute reports that severe symptoms are treated with methotrexate, a form of chemotherapy, and anti-inflammatory drugs like corticosteroids and hydroxychloroquine.
Research
As noted by Stanford Medicine, clinical trials are critical for finding effective treatments and a cure for amyloidosis. As of 2010, active clinical trials include using newly discovered and old medications such as dexamethasone, studies using monoclonal antibodies and stem cell studies.
Active clinical trials for sarcoidosis are examining immune suppressant medications as well as antibiotic therapy.
