In France, in 2018, the estimated number of new cases of rectal cancer was 13,744, including 8,249 in men and 5,495 in women. Key points: 5-year age-standardized net survival of 61% in men and 63% in women for cases diagnosed between 2010 and 2015; 14 percentage point improvement in 5-year age-standardized net survival between 1990 and 2015; Improvement in 5- and 10-year net survival, more pronounced among younger individuals; Among individuals aged 80 diagnosed between 2005 and 2015, a 3-percentage-point increase in 1-year and 5-year net survival; Stabilization of excess mortality rates beyond 10 years regardless of age at diagnosis.