Abstract: Objective: To explore the value of T2WI 3D-SPACE combined with EPI DWI imaging in preoperative evaluation of rectal cancer. Methods: A total of 36 patients with rectal cancer who underwent MR scan from January 2018 to August 2019 were enrolled in this study. The scan protocol includes: three-dimensional highresolution T2WI sequences, T2WI 3D-SPACE and RS-EPI DWI sequence. The sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of T-staging of high-resolution T2WI combined with DWI(Group A sequences) and T2WI 3D-SPACE combined with DWI(Group B sequences) were calculated respectively. McNemar test was used to compare the accuracy of total T-staging between the two groups. Results: T staging of the two groups were compared with postoperative pathological findings. The accuracy in the T1 and T2 stages of the Group B sequences was slightly higher than the Group A sequences. The total T staging accuracy of the Group A and B sequences were 68.75% and 71.88% respectively. The difference was not statistically significant(P>0.05). Conclusion:The accuracy of T2WI 3D-SPACE sequence combined with EPI DWI sequence for T staging of rectal cancer is not statistically different from that of high-resolution T2WI sequence combined with EPI DWI sequence. Therefore, T2WI 3D-SPACE sequence can be routinely used for preoperative evaluation of rectal cancer.