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Mesothelioma is a form of cancer that develops in the lining around the lungs (the “pleura”), abdomen (the “peritoneum”), or heart (the “pericardium”). Mesothelioma is almost always caused by exposure to asbestos. In contrast, lung cancer refers to a malignancy of the lung itself.

This section is not intended as a tool for self-diagnosis, nor is it intended to be a substitute for consulting with a doctor who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of mesothelioma. This section is merely designed to help you learn about mesothelioma.

Pleural mesothelioma and lung cancer are both serious illnesses, but they are not the same. Pleural mesothelioma – sometimes called “asbestos lung cancer” – is really not a form of lung cancer, but a cancer of the lining that surrounds the lung.

A main difference between lung cancer and mesothelioma is that lung cancer is in the tissue of the lung. By contrast, pleural mesothelioma occurs in the lining around the lung.

Smoking is often considered a primary cause of lung cancer, while asbestos exposure is considered a primary cause of mesothelioma. Asbestos exposure may also be associated with lung cancer. Smoking is not linked to mesothelioma, however. Those exposed to asbestos and who smoke are as much as 90 times more likely to be develop lung cancer than those who don’t smoke.