Imaging and Blood-Based Biomarkers for the Evaluation of Early Signs of Myocardial Injury After Thoracic Radiation Therapy

Inclusion Criteria: * Patients who have been evaluated by a radiation oncologist and have been felt to be suitable to undergo thoracic RT for histologically confirmed NSCLC with a dose range of 60-70 Gy at 1.8-2 Gy per fraction OR histologically confirmed clinical stage I-IVA (AJCC 8th ed) middle or thoracic esophageal or gastroesophageal cancer (squamous cell carcinoma or adenocarcinoma) with a planned dose range of 41.4-60 Gy at 1.8-2 Gy per fraction as part of treatment of their malignancy * Concurrent chemotherapy is permitted * For NSCLC patients, both concurrent and/or adjuvant immunotherapy is permitted * Patients participating in other research studies are eligible as long as participation in this study does not interfere with activities required in the other studies * Patients with no contra-indications to magnetic resonance (MR) or PET imaging as stated in the section exclusion criteria * For the delayed enhancement and the T1 contrast mapping portions of the study, the patient must have an adequate baseline renal function defined as an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) \> 30 ml/min per the Ohio State Institutional Guidelines. Of note, if the patient's eGFR is =\< 30 ml/min, the patient would still be eligible for enrollment, but only the strain-encoded (SENC) imaging and T2 mapping non-contrast sequences would be obtained. The dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE) and T1 mapping sequences, which require intravenous (IV) contrast, would not be included * Patients with moderate to end-stage renal disease, or who are at high-risk of nephrogenic systemic fibrosis (e.g. hepatorenal syndrome, liver transplant, acute renal failure, chronic kidney disease, and iron overload conditions) would still be eligible for enrollment, but only the non-contrast SENC and T2 mapping imaging sequences would be obtained. The DCE and T1 mapping sequences, which require IV contrast, would not be included * Age \>= 18 years old * Within 4 weeks of study entry: patients must have vital signs, history/physical examination, and kidney function test (eGFR) * Ability to provide written informed consent obtained prior to participation in the study and any study specific procedures being performed * Women of child-bearing potential (WOCBP) must have a negative pregnancy test within 14 days of the study entry. Urine human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) is an acceptable pregnancy assessment Exclusion Criteria: * Subjects who are breast-feeding, or have a positive pregnancy test will be excluded from the study. Should a woman become pregnant or suspect she is pregnant while participating in this study, she should inform her treating physician immediately * Medical contraindications to MR imaging (e.g. pacemakers, metallic implants, aneurysm clips, known contrast allergy to Gadolinium contrast, pregnancy, nursing mothers, weight greater than 350 pounds) * Subjects with advanced renal disease (eGFR \< 45 mL/min/1.72m\^2) - exclusion from receipt of contrast, but may still be enrolled for basic CMR imaging (left ventricular ejection \[LVEF\], strain, T2, etc) * Medical contraindications to PET imaging (e.g. pregnancy, nursing mothers, weight greater than 420 pounds - scanner limit) * Any serious and/or unstable pre-existing medical disorder (aside from malignancy exception above), psychiatric disorder, or other condition that could prevent compliance with study procedures or providing informed consent * Subjects who are prisoners