Mesothelioma Lung Cancer Asbestos exposure can lead to mesothelioma, lung cancer, and asbestosis. Most mesothelioma cases start in the lungs. A less common type of mesothelioma develops in the abdomen's lining, called malignant peritoneal mesothelioma. Like all cancers, mesothelioma can be caused by uncontrolled cellular proliferation. Patients can lessen their