Mesothelioma and exposure to asbestos

It's important to understand the distinction between lung cancer caused by smoking and mesothelioma. Mesothelioma affects the lungs but is not considered lung cancer. Since smokers are at risk for lung cancer it can lead to contracting other asbestos related diseases. Lung cancer is more common, appearing in the lung's inner tissues. Mesothelioma, by contrast, develops in the tissue covering the lung.