MGH ILD Clinic
At the MGH Interstitial Lung Disease Clinic, a multidisciplinary team includes lung specialists, chest radiologists and pathologists, thoracic surgeons and research scientists work together to:
- deliver compassionate, comprehensive care for interstitial lung diseases, also known as pulmonary fibrosis;
- educate patients and their families about these diseases;
- improve the understanding of what causes these diseases and their progression;
- help translate this understanding into new treatments for patients.
Sophisticated diagnostic tests, and factors such as age, overall health, medical history, tolerance for certain therapeutic options and personal preferences, help determine the precise nature of a patient's interstitial lung disease and an individualized treatment plan. The patients and the referring doctors are always kept informed of all findings and treatment recommendations.
Common treatment options include:
- Corticosteroids, immunosuppressive agents and other oral medications
- Pulmonary rehabilitation
- Influenza and pneumococcal pneumonia vaccines
- Oxygen supplementation from portable containers
Some patients may benefit from:
- Investigational trials: The program frequently conducts clinical trials to study the benefits of promising new treatments for interstitial lung diseases;
- Lung transplantation: Potential candidates for lung transplantation can be identifiedl and referrals can be to the Mass General Lung Transplant Program for further evaluation.