lymphadenopathy

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I recently had a routine chest x-ray which showed a mass in the halar regeion. CT Scan was done and the findings were evidence  Hilar Lymphadenopathy. Blood test are being perform as well as a TB test. There are no other swollen Lymph nodes (neck, arm pits, collar bond area or groin. I am a little frustrated (and nervous) that it is taking so long to get an appointment with a pulmonary physician. The internet info is confusing.  What are the possible diseases that are causing lymphadenopathy?

Thank You,
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[National Jewish]

If you are symptom free and the hilar adenopathy is effecting both sides of your lung, the most likely diagnosis would be pulmonary sarcoidosis.  Sarcoidosis is a disease that causes small clusters of inflammation, called granulomas.  The granulomas can occur in any area of the body, but are most often found in the lungs, lymph nodes, eyes, and skin.  Typically sarcoidosis effects only the lungs.  When sarcoidosis effects the lungs, it can cause enlarged hilar lymph nodes that are in the upper middle area of the lungs.  In fact, enlargement of the hilar lymph nodes is the most common finding when sarcoidosis effects the lungs.  Adenopathy is another term for enlarged lymph nodes.  So hilar adenopathy is another way of saying the lymph nodes in the upper middle area of the lungs near the heart are larger than usual.  When the inflammation occurs in the lungs it may show up as cloudy areas on the CT scan.  Up to one half of the people with sarcoidosis improve without treatment.  This type of inflammation seldom leads to scarring or fibrosis.

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Thank you for your comments.  I have another question: Can the Sarcoidosis move from the lung to the heart?  My best friend has Sarcoidosis in his heart but they also saw sarcoidosis scarring in his lung. Thanks