About

Wegener’s Granulomatosis is an uncommon disease, a form of vasculitis (inflammation of the blood vessels), and an autoimmune disease (meaning the body’s immune system attacks its own body tissues). There is no known cause for Wegener’s, but it is not contagious, and there is no evidence it is hereditary. It is systemic, meaning it affects the body as a whole. It affects the upper (sinus and nose) and lower (lungs) respiratory system and may involve the kidneys, eyes, ears, throat, skin and other body organs. For reasons not clear, blood vessels in those areas become inflamed and piles of cell debris appear (granuloma). Patients who do not have renal (kidney) involvement are said to have Limited Wegener’s. As awareness of Wegener’s Granulomatosis grows, more patients are diagnosed in the early stages when treatment can result in early remission and prevent organ failure.