Mesothelioma - What Causes Mesothelioma Other Than Asbestos? Asbestos is the only reason for mesothelioma. It affects the lung's lining (pleural mesothelioma) as well as the abdomen (peritoneal mesothelioma) and the heart (pericardial mesothelioma). Other risk factors are the treatment of cancer with radiation genetics, as well as minerals that