Аннотация:For choice of optimal volume of resection in rectal cancer we need to clearly realize the degree of local tumors invasion (T-criteria), and also presence or absence of lymphogenous dissemination of tumor (N-criteria). MRI was done in 60 patients , suffered from rectal cancer. Use of MRI allows reliably to find the degree of lateral and lymphogenous dissemination of the process and to evaluate the optimal volume of resection. In evaluation of local tumors invasion (T-criteria) MRI had sensitivity 91.2 %, specificity 96.7 %, in metastases in lymphnodes evaluation (N-criteria) sensitivity 78.3 %, specificity 95 %.