The survival rate of rectal cancer cannot be generalized, it is mainly related to the stage and condition, but the overall survival rate of early and active treatment will be significantly higher than that of patients who are in late stage or those who fail to achieve good treatment effect in late stage. The survival rate of rectal cancer is related to its stage. According to TNM staging, rectal cancer is divided into four stages, stage I and II are early stage, and the survival rate of these patients is higher, in which the survival rate of stage I can reach 90% to 95%, that of stage II reaches more than 80%, and that of stage III is 60% to 70%, and the survival rate of stage IV rectal cancer is overall lower, only 10% to 20%. For stage II rectal cancer, the prognosis of patients with perineural infiltration was significantly worse than that of those without perineural infiltration, with 5-year disease-free survival of 29% and 82%, respectively. In stage III rectal cancer, those with perineural infiltration had a significantly worse prognosis. In addition, the survival rate of rectal cancer is also related to the patient’s individual physical condition, disease progression, treatment sensitivity and other factors, the key lies in whether to comply with the doctor’s instructions for standardized treatment and whether to maintain healthy living habits. The key to a good prognosis lies in early detection and active treatment, and it is recommended that patients maintain a positive and optimistic mindset and carry out regular treatment in a timely manner.