OBJETIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine the clinico-pathologic correlation of carcinoid tumors of the rectum.MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed the medical records and pathology of 20 patients with carcinoid tumors of the rectum seen at the Instituto de Enfermedades Neoplásicas (INEN), between 1980 and 2006RESULTS: There was no difference between sex. 11 patients had tumors over 2 cm. 12 had metastasis. 8 patients without metastasis had, tumors size of less than 2 cm. 6 pacients had endoscopic resection, the tumors were often polypoid, the size less than 2 cm and with typical histopathologic. 7 cases hat atypical histopathologic from them 2 patients dead, all had metastasis and tumor sizes were 3 to 6 cm.CONCLUSIONS: The tumor size, the atypical histopathologic features, the infiltration of the wall and metastasis are associated with aggressive behavior and bad prognosis.KEY WORDS: Carcinoid, rectum.