Mesothelioma - What Causes Mesothelioma Other Than Asbestos? Asbestos is the only reason for mesothelioma. It affects the lung lining (pleural mesothelioma) and abdomen (peritoneal mesothelioma) and heart (pericardial mesothelioma). Other risk factors include radiation therapy for other cancers, genetics and minerals similar to asbestos like silica and erionite. Asbestos
