Surgeons need to adapt to evolving diagnostic and treatment protocols for rectal cancer to enhance patient outcomes.

• Mortality rates from rectal cancer are declining, driven by improved screening and staging.
• Neoadjuvant radiochemotherapy can allow less invasive surgery for patients with non-advanced disease.

Incorporating imaging advancements can aid in personalized treatment strategies.

• Abdominopelvic MRI and transrectal ultrasound are key for local staging, while CT and PET are essential for distant metastasis detection.