SummaryIn each individual case of cancer of the rectum the type of operation should be selected after considering the many factors involved.Even though spontaneous regression did not occur in my series of cases, diathermy treatment of rectal cancer was found to be most valuable as a method of providing palliation.Local treatment was used with apparent success as a curative procedure in 30 patients who had cancers of the rectum in whom there was no contraindication to more radical surgery.