Mesothelioma lung cancer, X-ray of the chest of a 84 year old male patient with advanced mesothelioma, a type of lung cancer. This cancer affects the pleura, the membrane that lines the lungs and chest cavity, and is usually associated with exposure to asbestos. Here the volume of the right lung (seen at left) is greatly reduced by the tumour. Although mesothelioma can cause a cough and chest pain, in many cases it is symptomless. This delays diagnosis and therefore treatment.