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The prognosis of colorectal cancer depends on a multitude of factors that can be grouped into several categories: tumor-related factors, clinical factors, histopathological factors, and biological factors (oncogenetic and molecular). Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of death in the world and affects both sexes equally. Approximately 40% of patients relapse after surgery with curative intent for rectal cancer in the form of distant metastases or local recurrences. Clinical factors are represented by: age, sex, complications, location of the primary tumor, symptoms and perioperative blood transfusions. Factors related to the primary tumor are classified according to tumor stage, tumor size, invasion of peritoneal serosa and adjacent organs, appearance of primary tumor, degree of obstruction of the rectal lumen, and resection margins that may influence residual tumor occurrence. Biochemical and genetic factors may mark the presence of tumor recurrence by increasing the CEA (embryonic carcinoma) marker. RAS mutations (KRAS and NRAS) are the most common oncogenetic mutations in cancer, and KRAS mutations are associated with more aggressive tumors, increased metastatic potential, and a poor prognosis. Predictive histopathological factors are: invasion of regional lymph nodes, degree of tumor differentiation, perineural, vascular and lymphatic invasion, budding phenomenon, peritumoral immune reaction and the evidence of tumor cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]