What Is Mesothelioma vs. Lung Cancer?
Mesothelioma is a rare, aggressive cancer that develops in the thin protective lining around the lungs, abdomen, heart, or testes. The most common form, pleural mesothelioma, affects the lung lining and accounts for roughly 80% of all cases.
Lung cancer, by contrast, begins inside the lung tissue itself. It is one of the most commonly diagnosed cancers in the United States, according to the National Cancer Institute.
Mesothelioma vs. Lung Cancer at a Glance
| Mesothelioma | Lung Cancer | |
|---|---|---|
| Causes | Asbestos | Asbestos, smoking, other toxins |
| Location | Lining of the lung, abdomen, heart, or testes (mesothelium) | Inside the lung itself |
| Tumor Growth Pattern | Small nodules that spread and merge into a diffuse sheath | Defined individual masses with clear boundaries |
| Annual U.S. Cases | 3,000 | 229,410 |
| Overall 5-Year Survival Rate | 12% | 29.7% |
Both mesothelioma and lung cancer may affect the respiratory system, leading to similar symptoms like a cough, shortness of breath, and chest pain. As a result, mesothelioma is sometimes misdiagnosed as lung cancer — but the two diseases have different origins, growth patterns, and prognoses.
Understanding the difference between mesothelioma and lung cancer is key to getting an accurate diagnosis and developing an effective treatment plan, which may potentially extend a patient’s life expectancy.
What Causes Mesothelioma vs. Lung Cancer?
Both mesothelioma and lung cancer can be caused by asbestos exposure, but while asbestos is the only known cause of mesothelioma, lung cancer can also result from factors like smoking, radon gas, and air pollution.
A mutation in the BAP1 gene can increase a person's susceptibility to mesothelioma, meaning those with the mutation may develop the disease even after low levels of asbestos exposure. However, the gene mutation alone is not enough to cause this cancer without asbestos exposure.
Lung cancer has a wider range of causes, and roughly 8% of cases are inherited or linked to genetic predispositions, according to Oncology Letters. Like mesothelioma, though, asbestos remains a risk factor, especially when combined with smoking.
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma or lung cancer, our attorneys can help determine your history of asbestos exposure and pursue compensation on your behalf.
Since 1979, Sokolove Law has secured over $5.9 Billion for thousands of asbestos exposure victims and their families.
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Smoking & Mesothelioma vs. Lung Cancer
Smoking and asbestos exposure compound each other dramatically when it comes to lung cancer, but that synergistic effect does not apply to mesothelioma.
Studies have found no association between smoking cigarettes and mesothelioma in either men or women, according to the American Association for Cancer Research.
However, smokers exposed to asbestos have nearly a 100-fold risk of lung cancer compared to just a 10-fold risk in those not exposed, per the European Respiratory Society. Smoking damages the lungs, which can make it more difficult for them to expel asbestos fibers.
“Smokers with damaged cilia along the conductive airways may have impaired ability to clear [asbestos] fibers from the lung.”
– Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Signs & Symptoms of Mesothelioma vs. Lung Cancer
Most cases of mesothelioma affect the lung lining, meaning patients could develop similar symptoms to those of lung cancer. With both diseases, symptoms often don’t appear until the cancer has spread and reached an advanced stage.
Shared symptoms of mesothelioma and lung cancer may include:
- A persistent cough
- Chest pain
- Fatigue
- Finger clubbing
- Shortness of breath
- Unexplained weightloss
Patients could have different mesothelioma symptoms if the cancer develops in other parts of the body, including in the abdominal lining (peritoneal mesothelioma), in the lining of the heart (pericardial mesothelioma), and the lining around the testes (testicular mesothelioma.
Common Signs of Mesothelioma & Lung Cancer
| Lung Cancer | Pleural Mesothelioma | Peritoneal Mesothelioma | Pericardial Mesothelioma | Testicular Mesothelioma |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Persistent cough, chest pain, shortness of breath, coughing up blood, fatigue, weight loss, hoarseness | Persistent cough, chest pain, pleural effusions, shortness of breath, fatigue, weight loss, night sweats | Abdominal pain or swelling, loss of appetite, digestive issues, weight loss | Chest pain, fatigue, shortness of breath, irregular heartbeat | Scrotal swelling or pain, lump or fluid buildup in the scrotum |
If you have a history of asbestos exposure and are experiencing any of these symptoms, it’s important to speak with your doctor as soon as possible.
Latency Period of Mesothelioma vs. Lung Cancer
Latency period refers to the time between a person's initial asbestos exposure and the appearance of symptoms from their related illness. The first signs of mesothelioma and lung cancer can take decades to appear after exposure to asbestos.
The latency period for mesothelioma is 20-50 years, while asbestos lung cancer diagnoses tend to peak 30-35 years after exposure, according to the journal Cancer. Lung cancer from other causes, like smoking or air pollution, can develop in as few as 10 to 30 years, per Environmental Health.
Because symptoms of mesothelioma and lung cancer can take so long to appear, many patients don't connect their diagnosis to an asbestos exposure that may have happened years prior. Our asbestos attorneys can help you determine when and where this exposure occurred.
Is Mesothelioma a Form of Lung Cancer?
Mesothelioma is not a form of lung cancer. The two are often confused because both can affect the lungs, share similar symptoms, and be linked to asbestos exposure, but they are biologically distinct diseases.
Only around 80% of mesothelioma cases affect the lungs, while 20% affect other organs like the heart, abdomen, or testicles.
“Mesothelioma [is] in the pleura or the lining of the lungs, as opposed to lung cancer itself, which is in the actual lung.”
– Dr. Logan Roof, Mesothelioma Specialist
Mesothelioma tumors are made up of mesothelial cells, while lung cancer tumors are made up of epithelial cells. These separate cell types cause them to behave differently and respond to different treatments.
Mesothelioma vs. Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the most common type of lung cancer, accounting for approximately 85% of all lung cancer cases in the U.S., according to Mayo Clinic Proceedings. It includes subtypes like adenocarcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and large cell carcinoma.
Adenocarcinoma, which makes up over half of all NSCLC cases, can be mistaken for mesothelioma due to the appearance of pleural thickening, multiple nodules, and fluid around the lungs in early scans, according to OncoTargets and Therapy.
Adenocarcinoma may also spread to the lung lining as it advances, putting it in the same anatomical location as mesothelioma.
However, under a microscope, mesothelioma cells look distinctly different from adenocarcinoma cells — including longer microvilli (tiny finger-like projections on the cell surface) and distinct protein markers that help pathologists confirm which disease is present, according to Medscape.
Small Cell Lung Cancer vs. Mesothelioma
Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) accounts for roughly 15% of all lung cancer cases, according to Cleveland Clinic. It is the most aggressive subtype of lung cancer, growing and spreading faster than NSCLC.
SCLC has a tendency to grow quickly, with a doubling time as short as 25–30 days, per Frontiers in Pharmacology. Mesothelioma, while also considered an aggressive cancer, tends to grow more slowly.
Additionally, tobacco smoking contributes to 95% of small cell lung cancer cases, according to StatPearls. This is in stark contrast to mesothelioma, which is caused by asbestos exposure rather than smoking.
SCLC most commonly presents as a central tumor near the airways and rarely involves the pleura, according to ScienceDirect. As a result, it is not as commonly confused with mesothelioma.
Is Pleural Mesothelioma Lung Cancer?
While pleural mesothelioma affects the lung, this condition is not a type of lung cancer. Approximately 80% of mesothelioma cases start in the lining of the lungs (pleura), which is known as pleural mesothelioma, while lung cancer forms within the organ itself.
Pleural mesothelioma is often mistaken for lung cancer due to shared symptoms like a cough, shortness of breath, and chest pain.
In fact, lung cancer can spread or metastasize to the pleura and mimic mesothelioma, making it one of the most common cancers misdiagnosed as this rare illness.
Diagnosing Lung Cancer vs. Mesothelioma
Because these two cancers can look similar on early imaging, distinguishing mesothelioma from lung cancer often requires multiple layers of testing.
Getting a correct diagnosis as soon as possible matters, as these cancers require different treatments to help prevent them from advancing and spreading throughout the body.
Find out more about diagnosing lung cancer vs. mesothelioma:
- Scan results may look similar but not identical: On CT scans, mesothelioma typically shows a rind-like pattern of pleural thickening around the outside of the lung with poorly defined boundaries, according to the Journal of Thoracic Oncology. Lung cancer more commonly appears as a single, well-defined mass within the lung. However, imaging alone can’t confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis, as CT scans can fail to distinguish it from other cancers that have spread to the pleura.
- A biopsy is the only way to confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis: Tumor tissue must be physically removed and examined by a pathologist, who can view the tissue sample under a microscope and determine if it’s made up of mesothelioma or lung cancer cells. Even then, mesothelioma and lung cancer cells can appear similar enough that microscopic analysis alone isn't always conclusive.
- Specialized staining tests can be used to tell the cancers apart: Pathologists use immunohistochemistry, a technique that applies antibody markers to identify specific proteins in the cancer cells. Mesothelioma cells test positive for calretinin, WT1, cytokeratin 5/6, and D2-40, while lung adenocarcinoma cells test positive for TTF-1, Napsin-A, and CEA, according to Scientific Reports.
Since mesothelioma is so rare, many general oncologists have limited experience recognizing it, which can increase the risk of a mesothelioma misdiagnosis.
Approximately 22.6% of pleural mesothelioma patients are initially misdiagnosed, according to The Open Epidemiological Journal. Lung cancer, on the other hand, is missed in primary care settings 6.8% of the time, per the European Journal of General Practice.
Seeking a second opinion from a specialist is one of the most important steps a patient can take, especially if they have a history of asbestos exposure.
Treating Mesothelioma vs. Lung Cancer
While both mesothelioma and lung cancer may be treated with surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, or immunotherapy, the specific treatment approaches differ, largely because of the different ways the tumors grow.
The prognosis for mesothelioma is generally poorer than that of lung cancer, largely because treatment options are more limited.
A treatment that works for one disease may not be appropriate, or even possible, for the other. Find out more about the approved methods of treating mesothelioma vs. lung cancer.
Chemotherapy
The biggest difference in chemotherapy treatments for mesothelioma and lung cancer comes down to drug options, and the reason for that gap lies in the biology of each cancer. Lung cancer patients have significantly more choices than mesothelioma patients, whose treatment options are more limited.
For mesothelioma, the standard first-line chemotherapy treatment involves a combination of pemetrexed and cisplatin, according to NYU Langone Health.
Pemetrexed works by disrupting processes cancer cells need to replicate, and mesothelioma cells happen to be especially vulnerable to it, according to Cancer Network. Most other chemotherapy drugs struggle against mesothelioma due to the density of pleural tissue and the cancer's high inherent resistance to treatment.
For lung cancer, the range of chemotherapy options is broader and varies by cancer subtype. Non-small cell lung cancer, for example, is commonly treated with a combination of drugs such as cisplatin, carboplatin, pemetrexed, paclitaxel, docetaxel, gemcitabine, or vinorelbine.
Immunotherapy
Immunotherapy works by helping the immune system recognize and attack cancer cells. Tumors with higher mutation burdens produce more abnormal proteins for the immune system to identify, making them more responsive to treatment. Lung cancer tends to have a higher mutation burden than mesothelioma.
At least 7 immune checkpoint inhibitors have been FDA-approved as first-line treatments for metastatic non-small cell lung cancer, including nivolumab, pembrolizumab, cemiplimab, atezolizumab, durvalumab, ipilimumab, and tremelimumab, according to the Journal of Managed Care & Specialty Pharmacy.
Mesothelioma has a low mutation burden, giving the immune system less to recognize, and its tumor environment actively suppresses the immune response that immunotherapy is trying to trigger, per Clinical Lung Cancer. Reliable biomarkers to predict who will respond remain limited.
Currently, only 2 immunotherapy regimens are FDA-approved for pleural mesothelioma: nivolumab plus ipilimumab (Opdivo® and Yervoy®), and pembrolizumab (Keytruda®) combined with pemetrexed and platinum-based chemotherapy, based on results from the KEYNOTE-483 trial.
Radiation
For lung cancer, radiation may be used as a primary treatment when surgery isn't possible, alongside chemotherapy for locally advanced disease, and palliatively to relieve symptoms from metastatic spread.
For mesothelioma, radiation is harder to deliver safely. Because the cancer wraps around the lung rather than forming a single mass, targeting the full tumor bed without damaging surrounding tissue is difficult. It is most commonly used alongside surgery (intensity-modulated radiation therapy) or palliatively to manage pain.
Surgery
Lung cancer typically grows as a defined mass that surgeons can target and remove, while mesothelioma spreads as a diffuse covering across the lung lining, making surgery more complex.
Mesothelioma specialists may perform procedures like extrapleural pneumonectomy (removes the affected lung, the surrounding lining, part of the diaphragm, and the lining around the heart) and pleurectomy with decortication (removes the lung lining and all visible tumors while sparing the lung itself).
Because lung cancer tumors grow as individual, defined masses, surgeons can often remove a localized tumor more cleanly. Common procedures include a lobectomy (removing one lobe of the lung) or a pneumonectomy (removing an entire lung).
Is Mesothelioma Harder to Treat Than Lung Cancer?
Mesothelioma is generally harder to treat than lung cancer, largely due to how the tumors grow. Mesothelioma spreads as a diffuse sheet across the lung lining rather than forming as individual masses, so it can’t be surgically removed with clean margins the way a lung cancer tumor often can.
Mesothelioma also typically requires more aggressive multimodal treatment, which may include a combination of surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, or immunotherapy, because no single approach is sufficient on its own, according to F1000 Research.
Even with multimodal treatment, the goal is often to slow the disease and extend life rather than achieve a cure. Lung cancer, particularly when caught at an early stage, can sometimes be cured with surgery alone.
“If you come in with early stage lung cancer and it has not spread anywhere, then if you remove that, you're taking out the cancer surrounded by a whole border of normal tissue. You can cure someone with surgery alone. You can't do that with mesothelioma surgery, because the cancer comes right up to the lining.”
– Dr. Joseph Friedberg, Pleural Mesothelioma Specialist
Prognosis of Asbestos Lung Cancer vs. Mesothelioma
Many factors affect the prognosis of lung cancer and mesothelioma, including a patient’s overall health, treatment plan, and the stage of their cancer at the time of diagnosis.
Learn more about the prognosis of asbestos lung cancer vs. mesothelioma:
- Mesothelioma tends to carry a poorer prognosis. It's rare, meaning less research and fewer treatment options exist. Tumors spread diffusely across the lung lining, making surgery less effective. Symptoms are frequently mistaken for other conditions, so it's often caught late.
- Lung cancer generally has a better outlook. Decades of research have produced a broader range of treatments, screening programs exist for high-risk patients, and tumors tend to form as distinct masses that respond better to surgery.
Pleural mesothelioma has a median life expectancy of 12-21 months, according to data from the National Mesothelioma Virtual Bank. The life expectancy for NSCLC is 5-57 months depending on the stage, per JAMA Network. SCLC has a life expectancy of 7-16 months across all stages.
5-Year Survival Rate for Lung Cancer vs. Mesothelioma
The overall 5-year survival rate for lung cancer is 29.7%, according to the American Lung Association — more than double the 12% rate for mesothelioma, as reported by the American Cancer Society.
| Stage | Non-Small Lung Cancer | Small Cell Lung Cancer | Pleural Mesothelioma |
|---|---|---|---|
| Localized | 67% | 34% | 23% |
| Regional | 40% | 20% | 15% |
| Distant | 12% | 4% | 11% |
Source: The National Cancer Institute's Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER)
"Localized" means the cancer was confined to where it started, "regional" means it had reached nearby lymph nodes or tissue, and "distant" means it had spread to other organs entirely, like the liver, bones, or brain.
Long-term survival is possible. Sissy Hoffman, who was diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma in 1996 and given just 6 months to live, survived for more than 29 years. Wells W., who was diagnosed with stage 4 NSCLC in 1998 and given 10 months to live, went on to live for over 26 years.
“I'm doing very well now, as a matter of fact. I play golf twice a week. I ride the side-by-side. I go hang out with my friends when they're around. Yeah, I'm pretty well back to normal.”
– John, 6+ Year Mesothelioma Survivor & Firm Client
Difference Between Lung Cancer and Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma is sometimes mistaken for lung cancer, even by general health care providers. In reality, it’s an entirely separate type of cancer, though symptoms are similar.
General doctors may misdiagnose mesothelioma as lung cancer or even less severe respiratory conditions like bronchitis.
Five key differences between lung cancer vs. mesothelioma include:
- Causes: The only known cause of mesothelioma is asbestos exposure. Lung cancer can be caused by smoking and exposure to toxins like asbestos.
- How they affect the body: Mesothelioma starts in the linings of organs, most commonly the lungs and abdomen. Lung cancer forms directly in the lungs before spreading.
- Number of cases: Lung cancer is among the most common types of cancer, with over 229,000 cases expected in 2026. Only about 3,000 cases of mesothelioma are diagnosed per year.
- Prognosis (health outlook): Mesothelioma patients often have an unfavorable life expectancy since this cancer is hard to treat. Lung cancer patients may potentially live longer, particularly if diagnosed and treated early on.
- Treatments: Although options vary from case to case, both mesothelioma and lung cancer treatments may involve a combination of surgery to remove the cancer, chemotherapy, radiation, and immunotherapy.
Many oncologists have experience treating lung cancer, but mesothelioma is rare enough that general cancer doctors may see only a handful of cases in their careers. Seeking a specialist can help you avoid a mesothelioma misdiagnosis and get the most effective treatment.
Understanding Your Mesothelioma Lung Cancer Legal Rights
Both mesothelioma and lung cancer can be caused by exposure to asbestos, a mineral that was once used in thousands of products found throughout construction sites, military bases, shipyards, and other job sites.
Many companies that made or sold asbestos-containing products knew they were dangerous, but they hid the risks from the public in order to increase their profits. As a result, those affected by mesothelioma or lung cancer may be able to take legal action against the company responsible for their illness.
Compensation from an asbestos claim can help families pay for medical bills, lost wages, funeral expenses, and more.
Compensation for Lung Cancer vs. Mesothelioma
At Sokolove Law, we may be able to help you or a loved one secure financial compensation for mesothelioma or asbestos lung cancer.
To date, we’ve recovered over $5.9 Billion for families affected by asbestos-related diseases like lung cancer and mesothelioma.
Compensation may be available from:
- Asbestos lawsuits: Our attorneys can file lawsuits to secure payouts from asbestos-related companies. Mesothelioma lawsuits award over $1 Million on average, while compensation is usually lower for lung cancer.
- Asbestos trust fund claims: An estimated $30 Billion is still available in trusts. You may be eligible to receive money from asbestos trust funds without going to court.
- VA benefits: If you’re a veteran with mesothelioma or lung cancer, you may qualify for over $3,930 in monthly payments and health care as part of your VA benefits.
An experienced asbestos attorney can determine which compensation options may be available based on your specific diagnosis and exposure history.
Sokolove Law: Find Top Mesothelioma Lung Cancer Attorneys Nationwide
At Sokolove Law, our mesothelioma and lung cancer attorneys can help families across the country pursue justice and compensation after an asbestos-related disease diagnosis.
We can handle every step of the legal process on your behalf, so you can focus on your health and family — and there are no upfront costs or hourly fees to work with our team.
"I really appreciate Sokolove Law. They help you, and they treat you like a person and not a number."
– Dennis, Asbestos Exposure Victim & Firm Client
Call (800) 647-3434 now or fill out our contact form to find out if you may qualify for compensation from a mesothelioma or lung cancer lawsuit.
Mesothelioma vs. Lung Cancer FAQs
What is mesothelioma lung cancer?
Mesothelioma and lung cancer are two separate diseases. Pleural mesothelioma forms in the lining surrounding the lungs (the pleura), while lung cancer forms inside the lung itself.
Both of these cancers can be caused by asbestos exposure, but they require different diagnoses and treatments.
Contact Sokolove Law now if you’ve been diagnosed with mesothelioma or lung cancer. We may be able to help you pursue compensation for medical bills and other expenses.
Can you have both mesothelioma and lung cancer?
It is possible to have both mesothelioma and lung cancer, but it is incredibly rare, according to Respiratory Medicine Case Reports. In a database of 3,800 mesothelioma cases, only 18 (0.5%) involved a synchronous lung cancer diagnosis, according to ScienceDirect.
Of those cases, the majority involved adenocarcinoma, and most patients had a documented history of asbestos exposure.
What type of lung cancer is mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma is not a type of lung cancer. It is an entirely separate disease that is often confused with lung cancer because it forms in close proximity to the lungs.
While lung cancer originates from epithelial cells within the lung tissue itself, mesothelioma develops from mesothelial cells — the specialized cells that form the protective lining surrounding the lungs, abdomen, heart, and testes.
What are the signs and symptoms of mesothelioma lung cancer?
Both mesothelioma and lung cancer can share common symptoms such as shortness of breath, chest pain, and a persistent cough. Early symptoms of both diseases are often vague and easy to overlook, which is why they are so frequently diagnosed at advanced stages.
However, when mesothelioma forms in other parts of the body like the lining of the abdomen, symptoms may differ from those of lung cancer and involve abdominal swelling, digestive issues, and appetite loss.
Is mesothelioma considered a type of lung cancer?
No. While pleural mesothelioma forms in the lining of the lungs, it is not considered a type of lung cancer. Mesothelioma is its own separate disease, originating from mesothelial cells in the organ lining rather than the epithelial cells inside the lung tissue itself.
What causes mesothelioma lung cancer?
Mesothelioma is caused by asbestos exposure. Lung cancer, on the other hand, can be caused by asbestos, smoking, radon, air pollution, and other factors.
At Sokolove Law, we have extensive resources that allow us to prove asbestos exposure, even if it took place decades ago.
Call (800) 647-3434 now to see if our investigators can determine which asbestos-containing products you may have been exposed to. Let us get you the answers you deserve.
What does mesothelioma look like on a CT scan vs. lung cancer?
On CT scans, mesothelioma typically shows as pleural thickening or a rind-like pattern around the outside of the lung with multiple small nodules and poorly defined boundaries. Lung cancer more commonly appears as a single, well-defined mass within the lung.
However, imaging alone cannot confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis. A biopsy is required to determine if a patient has mesothelioma.
Is small cell lung cancer the same as mesothelioma?
No. Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is an aggressive subtype of lung cancer that grows inside the lung. It is biologically distinct from mesothelioma, though both share a relatively poor prognosis.
What is the difference between mesothelioma and lung cancer?
The differences between mesothelioma and lung cancer include where the cancer originates, how the tumors grow, when symptoms first appear, how they are treated, and a patient's prognosis.
Mesothelioma also has one known cause (asbestos exposure), while lung cancer can result from smoking, radon, asbestos, and other factors.
Can I take legal action over lung cancer, asbestos, and mesothelioma?
Yes. Anyone with an asbestos-related disease like lung cancer or mesothelioma may be able to file a lawsuit against the companies responsible for their illness.
At Sokolove Law, we’ve helped thousands of asbestos exposure victims secure justice for illnesses like mesothelioma and lung cancer. See if we may be able to fight for you.
How much can I get from a mesothelioma lung cancer lawsuit?
Mesothelioma lawsuits award anywhere from $1 Million to $11.4 Million on average, depending on whether the case results in a settlement or trial verdict.
Lung cancer settlements average around $100,000, but our firm has secured more than $1 Million for clients with this disease.
Call (800) 647-3434 now to see if you may be eligible for compensation from a mesothelioma lung cancer lawsuit. It costs nothing to speak with us.
How much do mesothelioma lung cancer attorneys charge?
At Sokolove Law, there are no upfront costs or hourly fees to work with our mesothelioma and lung cancer attorneys. We operate on a contingency-fee basis, which means you pay nothing unless we secure compensation on your behalf.
