The rectum is the last few inches of the large intestine, joining the sigmoid colon at the top and thinning out at the bottom, ending at the anal canal that leads to the anus. Although rectal and colon cancers are similar in many ways, they are treated in very different ways. Primarily because the rectum is located in a narrow space that is virtually separated from the other organs and structures of the pelvis, complete surgical removal of rectal cancer is complex and extremely challenging. Before and after surgery, patients often need additional treatment to reduce the chance of cancer recurrence. Common symptoms: 1. change in bowel habits, such as having diarrhea, constipation or more frequent bowel movements 2. black or red blood in stool 3. mucus on stool 4. thinning of stool 5. abdominal pain 6. painful bowel movements 7. iron deficiency anemia 8. feeling of not being able to empty stool 9. unexplained weight loss 10. weakness or fatigue