Eight cases of scirrhous carcinoma of the rectum are described. Five patients had primary lesions and three had metastases from stomach and breast. Radiographic features were severe rectal narrowing, rigidity, and smooth contours or, more commonly, moderate narrowing, distorted nodular folds, and an irregular serrated contour mimicking inflammatory disease. Difficulties in the radiologic and histologic diagnosis and a short review of pertinent literature are reported.