Influence of the intravenous contrast media on treatment planning dose calculations of lower esophageal and rectal cancers.

Background: The impact of intravenous (IV) contrast media (CM) on radiation dose calculations must be taken into account in treatment planning.

Purpose: The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of an intravenous contrast media on dose calculations in three-dimensional conformal radiation therapy (3D-CRT) for lower esophageal and rectal cancers.

Materials And Methods: Seventeen patients with lower esophageal tumors and 12 patients with rectal cancers were analyzed.