Purpose: Investigation of some clinical characteristics, diagnostic measures, and treatment methods of rectal cancer. Material and method: Retrospective study was carried out in 170 patients with rectal cancer (anatomo-pathology: carcinoma) who were treated initially at Hospital of Oncology, Ho Chi Minh City from January 2006 to December 2007.Result: Rectal cancer presents in both sexes with male / female ratio equal to 1.12.