Interstitial Lung Disease Program

ILD is a varied group of lung diseases, many of which result in permanent scarring or "fibrosis" of the lung tissue. There are nearly 200 distinct diseases, though only a handful of them are typical. While some result from exposure to hazardous substances in the environment (e.g., asbestos, coal, and tobacco smoke), often there is no identifiable cause. Lung fibrosis can also be a feature of connective tissue diseases such as Rheumatoid Arthritis, Scleroderma, and certain forms of vasculitis.

Treatment options and prognosis vary by cause. Thus a thorough evaluation is necessary to:

1. Confirm a diagnosis
2. Identify the cause
3. Formulate an effective treatment plan

These crucial tasks are the main focus of our program and are accomplished by collaborating with other specialty areas like Pathology, Radiology, and Thoracic Surgery.