Guide to Interstitial Lung Disease and Pulmonary Fibrosis

Interstitial Lung Disease and Pulmonary Fibrosis are general terms used to describe inflammatory and fibrotic disorders of lung tissue (interstitium).

Key Info

  • Interstitial lung disease is a lung disease involving chronic inflammation of the lungs
  • The chronic inflammation of the lungs causes progressive scarring, or fibrosis of the lungs
  • The scarring impacts the ability to breathe and can cause breathlessness. Over long periods of time, the disease can cause respiratory and heart failure.

There are over 100 known causes of interstitial lung disease and pulmonary fibrosis, which include familial and genetic disorders, inhaled substances, infections, medications, and connective tissue diseases.

Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF) is an interstitial lung disease characterized by chronic inflammation, accompanied by an uncontrolled healing response that causes progressive scarring or thickening (fibrosis) of tissues between the lung's alveoli, or air sacs. The cause of IPF is unknown, although the body's own immune response seems to play a major role. Recent data suggests there are between 14 and 63 cases of IPF per 100,000 population. The usual age at diagnosis is between 40 and 70, but often there is X-ray evidence of disease two to five years before the diagnosis is made. The disease affects more men than women.

The disease usually presents with a subtle onset of breathlessness with exercise. Over time there is a progressive worsening of breathlessness, as oxygen transfer to the blood decreases. As oxygen transfer decreases, the heart must work harder to pump oxygenated blood to the body. This leads to heart problems, and heart failure often develops. The median survival for people with IPF is five years.

Diagnosing Interstitial Lung Disease

The diagnosis of interstitial lung disease has become significantly more accurate as a result of thoracoscopy, a minimal access procedure that uses small incisions and video-endoscopic instruments to view the chest. Multiple areas of the lung can be biopsied and scanned to determine the presence of this disorder without the need for a large incision.

Treatment

Standard treatment for IPF is intended to improve symptoms and slow progression of the disease. Corticosteroids and cytotoxic drugs aim to reduce the inflammatory reaction and prevent the scarring and thickening of lung tissues. Lung transplantation has been successful as a treatment of last resort.

Next Steps

If you need help for a lung or chest issue, we’re here for you. Call (212) 305-3408 for existing patients, (212) 304-7535 for new patients, or request an appointment online to get started today.

Our team is now seeing patients in New Jersey at our New Jersey Lung & Esophageal Center. Learn more »

Related Services

Related Topics