Mesothelioma Resources

The three main types of malignant mesothelioma cancer are: pleural, peritoneal, and pericardial mesothelioma. Also, sometimes related to mesothelioma, lung cancer can be a complication of asbestos-related diseases, smoking, etc. While lung and mesothelioma cancer can affect the same area of the body, they are not the same disease. Malignant mesothelioma specifically causes abnormal growth of the mesothelial cells (membranes) that cover the lungs, chest cavity, abdomen, or heart. Lung cancer is not limited to these membranes. Also unlike mesothelioma, lung cancer is directly related to smoking among other things. Because smoking alone drastically increases the risk of lung cancer, asbestos exposure on top of it just makes the situation worse. See the Additional Resources page for more information on lung cancer.