Which statement about treatment of pulmonary fibrosis is most accurate?

Which statement about treatment of pulmonary fibrosis is most accurate?

• A. There is a proven disease-modifying therapy that slows progression in most patients.
• B. Oxygen therapy is contraindicated in pulmonary fibrosis.
• C. Lung transplant is the only cure.
• D. Corticosteroids are always curative in all cases.

Answer: (C)

Pulmonary fibrosis involves irreversible scarring, so treatment centers on slowing decline and preserving quality of life rather than curing the disease. Antifibrotic medicines can slow the rate of lung function loss in many patients, but they are not curative and responses vary. Oxygen therapy helps those with hypoxemia and is not contraindicated. Corticosteroids are not curative in this condition and are not universally effective. The only approach that can definitively restore lung function by replacing the diseased tissue is lung transplantation, offered to suitably selected patients and limited by donor availability and other risks. Because of that, lung transplantation represents the option most consistent with a potential cure in appropriate candidates.

Pulmonary fibrosis involves irreversible scarring, so treatment centers on slowing decline and preserving quality of life rather than curing the disease. Antifibrotic medicines can slow the rate of lung function loss in many patients, but they are not curative and responses vary. Oxygen therapy helps those with hypoxemia and is not contraindicated. Corticosteroids are not curative in this condition and are not universally effective. The only approach that can definitively restore lung function by replacing the diseased tissue is lung transplantation, offered to suitably selected patients and limited by donor availability and other risks. Because of that, lung transplantation represents the option most consistent with a potential cure in appropriate candidates.