One of the most frequently asked questions for rectal cancer patients concerns life expectancy. Life expectancy in rectal cancer depends on various factors such as the tumor's grade and stage, Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) levels, the patient's general health status, the treatment method applied, and the patient's response to treatment. Therefore, it is not possible to give a definitive answer to the question 'How long do rectal cancer patients live?'; each patient's situation may vary.