Oncology in general has seen vast advancements over recent years. Improved und- standing of tumor biology, multidisciplinary team decisions and an individualized therapy are cornerstones of treatment planning for cancer patients today. These dev- opments have challenged the imaging community with ever more specifc questions on tumor detection, staging and therapy control. Whereas this evolution applies to many tumor entities, rectal cancer takes an outstanding role, as it was the recognition of certain anatomical and pathological features of the disease, with the help of magnetic resonance...