Introduction: From a Surgeon’s Point of View -- Anorectal Anatomy -- Pathology of Rectal Cancer -- Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Rectal Cancer -- Clinical Atlas.

Today magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of rectal cancer is one of the most interesting topics in radiology. Over the last decade technical refinements have strengthened the role of MRI as a first-line diagnostic strategy for accurate staging of rectal cancer. MRI is perfectly suited to predict tumor-free circumferential resection margins. Additionally, high accuracies have been reported for the T and N stages, which is comparable to transrectal ultrasound (TRUS). Novel approaches to moving table MRI serve as a platform for thoracic, abdominal and pelvic staging of rectal cancer patients within one examination. The broad spectrum of high-quality illustrations and the contribution of clinical experts provide substantial insight into the sophisticated field of rectal cancer management.