A granuloma is a cluster of white blood cells and other tissues that form around an infection or foreign object in the body. They can appear in the lungs, skin, or other parts of the body and are not cancerous. Granulomas can be part of the immune systems response to infections, inflammation, irritants, or foreign objects. There are different types of granulomas, including foreign body granulomas, granuloma annulare, and pyogenic granuloma. Granulomas can also be a symptom of a chronic condition or an infection, such as sarcoidosis, tuberculosis, histoplasmosis, and others.
Granulomas are usually found incidentally on an X-ray or other imaging test done for a different reason. Depending on where it is in the body, a provider may think a person has a granuloma based on a physical exam or imaging such as an X-ray, ultrasound, or CT scan. The only way to know for sure if its a granuloma is to perform a biopsy.
Granulomas themselves usually do not have noticeable symptoms, but the conditions that cause them may create symptoms such as shortness of breath, wheezing, chest pain, fever, and dry cough that wont go away. Anyone with a granuloma that does not get better on its own or that keeps coming back should speak with a doctor.
