Mesothelioma Lung Cancer Asbestos exposure can cause lung cancer, mesothelioma and asbestosis. Mesothelioma can be found in the tissues' linings and most cases start in the lung. Malignant peritoneal mesothelioma is a rarer form of mesothelioma that originates in the linings of the abdomen. Like all cancers, mesothelioma can be