Mesothelioma - What Causes Mesothelioma Other Than Asbestos? Asbestos exposure is the only known cause of mesothelioma. It affects the lung lining (pleural mesothelioma) and abdomen (peritoneal mesothelioma) and heart (pericardial mesothelioma). Other risk factors are radiation treatment for cancer genetics, as well as minerals that are similar to asbestos
