The general life expectancy of patients with middle and late stage rectal cancer is not directly predictable, and there is some variability. The 5-year survival rate of patients with middle and late stage rectal cancer is between 30% and 50%, and the 5-year survival rate is less than 10% if it is in advanced stage, which is specifically related to the patient’s clinical stage, age, physical fitness and treatment. Rectal cancer is a kind of malignant tumor, which is difficult to be completely cured in the middle and late stages, and with the development of the disease in the late stage, it may endanger the life. If patients with middle or late stage rectal cancer are relatively young, in good physical condition and actively cooperate with the treatment, they can survive for a longer period of time, for example, 3~5 years. If patients with middle to late stage rectal cancer are older, in poor physical condition, or do not have active treatment, the survival time is usually shorter, for example, they can only survive for about 3~6 months. After diagnosis of rectal cancer, it is necessary to remove the tumor through surgery as soon as possible, and then combine with radiotherapy after surgery to delay the development of the disease as much as possible. In the later stage, attention should be paid to regular review, and timely intervention should be made if tumor recurrence is found.