Treatment and General Outlook

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At this time there is no cure for scleroderma. In most cases, localized scleroderma carries a good prognosis and patients have a normal life span. Most patients with limited CREST scleroderma can also expect a favourable outlook. Although the course of this disease tends to be slowly progressive, in time many internal organs may become affected. With diffuse scleroderma the severity varies widely so it is difficult to predict its course. It generally follows one of two paths: it is either acute and rapidly progresses into a life threatening condition or it follows a very slow course. The most critical period for systemic sclerosis is within the first years of onset. This is when there is the highest risk for rapid progression and the development of serious complications, particularly if the lungs, heart, or kidneys are affected.

There is no known cure for scleroderma but some features of scleroderma may improve over time even without treatment. However it has been noted that complete spontaneous improvement is very rare. Symptoms can be improved with medication and life style changes. Some medications are aimed at specific symptoms, while others are aimed at decreasing the activity of the immune system. Because of the advances in treatment, patient survival has improved a great deal over the past years.