Rectal polyps and rectal cancer are two different diseases, so it cannot be assumed that rectal polyps are rectal cancer. Rectal polyps are relatively common in clinical practice, especially among middle-aged and young patients, as they are often incidentally found during colonoscopy due to abnormal stools or abdominal discomfort. Generally, rectal polyps are small, ranging from a few millimeters to a maximum of one centimeter. Most rectal polyps are benign lesions, which can be managed with regular follow-ups or removed via endoscopy. Rectal cancer is generally considered a malignant tumor of the rectum, more commonly seen in older patients, who often exhibit alarming symptoms such as abdominal pain, rectal bleeding or abnormal stools, and in some cases, weight loss. Typically, malignant lesions in the rectum and tumor-like changes can be detected under colonoscopy. The main treatments include chemotherapy and surgical intervention.