ABSTRACT
In recent years it has become well established that prognosis for patients with rectal cancer is dependent upon both the stage of their cancer and the skill of their surgeon. Most importantly, new techniques for surgical resection require precise preoperative determination of local tumor stage so that patients who need preoperative radiotherapy=chemotherapy can be identi¢ed while avoiding over-treatment in those whose tumors are less advanced. Imaging assessment plays the pivotal role in answering these questions.
