%0 Journal Article %A U. Costabel %T Sarcoidosis: clinical update %D 2001 %R 10.1183/09031936.01.18s320056 %J European Respiratory Journal %P 56S-68S %V 18 %N 32 suppl %X Many advances have been made regarding sarcoidosis in the past 2 decades. As a result, sarcoidosis is now defined as a multisystem disorder with a heightened cellular immune response at sites of disease activity in patients with a predisposition for sarcoidosis and a presumed exposure to as yet unknown transmissible environmental agents.Recent International Consensus Statement recommendations regarding diagnosis and therapy have been published. The diagnosis of sarcoidosis is based on a compatible clinical and/or radiological picture, histological evidence of noncaseating granulomas and exclusion of other diseases capable of producing a similar histological or clinical picture.Therapy is based on corticosteroids, although there are indications of valuable alternatives. Except for life- and sight-threatening organ involvement, it should be carefully considered whether the patient might benefit from treatment. For asymptomatic pulmonary sarcoidosis, a watch and wait approach is appropriate; treatment should mainly be considered if symptoms develop or lung function deteriorates. %U https://erj.ersjournals.com/content/erj/18/32_suppl/56S.full.pdf