Did you know that you can make money by filling a lawsuit against the Asbestos industry? Asbestos diseases are caused by exposure to asbestos fibers. Malignant asbestos diseases include mesothelioma, lung cancer, ovarian cancer and laryngeal cancer. Nonmalignant asbestos diseases include asbestosis, COPD, pleural plaques, pleural thickening, pleural effusion and atelectasis.