Treatment

At the present time, chronic beryllium disease (CBD) has no know cure. However, with close monitoring and treatment by your physician, the disease can be slowed down. Researchers in the United States and abroad are studying the mechanisms of CBD to better understand how the disease works and the complicated biological processes involved. Eventually, this understanding may lead to better treatments for CBD, if not a complete cure.

Not everyone who has CBD will need treatment, and the course of the disease is different for each individual. Many patients will eventually need treatment though, and the type of treatment you require will depend on the severity of your disease. In general, the goals of treatment for CBD are to improve your symptoms, to protect your lungs from further damage caused by scarring, and to improve the oxygen levels in your bloodstream. 

 

Medications

Your physician may prescribe an inhaled steroid to manage your symptoms. As your disease progresses, you may note that your symptoms are worsening, or your physician may detect abnormalities in your gas exchange (the ability of your lungs to exchange oxygen for carbon dioxide in the bloodstream). At that time, you may need an immunosuppressive medication, such as prednisone. Individuals with more advanced disease may also require supplemental oxygen.

If an individual with CBD requires medication to improve symptoms and lung function, the drug most commonly prescribed is prednisone. Immunosuppressive medications such as prednisone slow the immune system's response to the beryllium in your lungs, and generally help decrease symptoms while improving gas exchange between the lungs and bloodstream. Typically patients are given a course of prednisone that is gradually decreased (tapered) over a period of time. Long-term use of prednisone does have side effects, and you should discuss the risks and benefits of prednisone use with your physician before beginning treatment.  

Other immunosuppressive drugs have been used along with prednisone to treat CBD. These medications can also be used alone if a patient does not respond to prednisone or cannot tolerate the side effects. 

 

Follow Up

In general, patients with CBD should see their physician at least once a year. At that time, they should have pulmonary function tests and exercise tolerance tests to see if their lungs are having difficulty exchanging oxygen and carbon dioxide with the bloodstream, and a chest X-ray or CT scan to check for scarring in the lungs. The types of testing you will need may be different based on your overall health, the course of your disease, and whether or not you are on immunosuppressive medications, such as prednisone. Patients with more advanced disease, or with worsening symptoms, should see a physician more frequently. You should talk with your physician about how frequently you should be seen.

 

Beryllium Sensitization Monitoring

Beryllium sensitization is a condition that is not treated with any medications. The only symptom of sensitization is an abnormal beryllium lymphocyte proliferation test (BeLPT), performed either on blood cells or on lung cells collected during bronchoscopy. Currently, there is no medication or procedure available to eliminate this "allergic" reaction to beryllium.

Thus, there is not a known cure for beryllium sensitization.

People with beryllium sensitization should see their physician at least every 2 years. At that time, they should have pulmonary function tests and exercise tolerance tests to see if their lungs are having difficulty exchanging oxygen and carbon dioxide with the bloodstream; a chest X-ray or CT scan to check for scarring in the lungs; and a bronchoscopy with lavage and biopsy to see if they have developed granulomas or other abnormalities in their lungs. The types of testing you will need may be different based on your overall health. If you develop symptoms of chronic beryllium disease, such as a dry cough or unexplained shortness of breath, you should see your physician sooner.