Medical College of Wisconsin Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD) Program
Numerous conditions make up the group of disorders called ILD. Most of those disorders cause progressive scarring of the lung tissue that eventually affects your ability to breathe and get enough oxygen into your blood stream, but beyond this the disorders vary greatly. Although most cases of interstitial lung disease develop gradually, a few come on suddenly. Doctors can pinpoint why some cases of interstitial lung disease occur, but many have no known cause. In all cases, lung scarring, once it occurs, is generally irreversible. Medications occasionally can slow the damage of interstitial lung disease, but many people never regain full use of their lungs.
Because most ILDs are rare, patients with these disorders need physicians who have had considerable training and experience with these disorders. We have a dedicated clinic with a highly specialized team of physicians who are experts in ILD. We integrate state-of-the-art diagnostic techniques with the latest therapeutic options for the multidisciplinary care of patients. We have nationally recognized physicians in pathology, radiology and thoracic surgery as part of our team. We are committed to keeping your primary care physician informed regarding your treatment throughout this process.
Another important objective of the ILD Center is the early identification of patients for lung transplantation which is also offered at our institution. The ILD Center was also created to meet the challenge of understanding and developing better treatments for ILD. Some of the physicians in clinic will also be involved with research related to ILD.
To schedule an appointment, please call (414) 805-6633.