规范化的病理诊断对直肠癌的预后判断十分重要。回顾当前我国直肠癌的诊治过程，可以发现对标准化规范化的病理学评估仍然存在着问题，包括：（1）术前的病理学评估 。（2）早期癌的局部切除适应证。（3）环周切缘问题。（4）侧方淋巴结清扫。（5）全直肠系膜切除淋巴结清扫的数量问题。

Advancements and challenges in standardized pathologic assessment in rectal cancer        GU Jin. Peking  University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing 100142, China
Abstract    Pathologic assessment is essential for accurate staging and predicting patients’ outcomes for rectal cancer. There will be several challenges for standardized pathologic assessment in China, including: （1） Preoperative pathological evaluation .(2) indication of local excision on early stage rectal cancer.(3) CRM assessment .(4)lateral node dissection for advanced low rectal cancer.(5) number of nodes harvest for TME. This manuscript aims to describe the pathological characteristics and challenges on rectal cancer treatment.