Objective To compare the oncologic results between laparoscopic and open approach for the treatment of rectal cancer. Methods Five hundred and twenty patients with rectal cancer from Jan. 2003 to Dec. 2008 were non-randomly divided into laparoscopic (LS) and open surgery (OS) group. Local recurrence, distant metastasis and survival rate were compared between two groups. Results One hundred and eighty-six cases received laparoscopic resection and 334 cases received open operation. There were no statistically significant differences (SSD) of demographic data between two groups (Pgt;0.05). Mean follow-up was 30.3 months. No SSD was observed in 3-year cumulative survival rate (83% in LS and 80% in OS, P=0.549), distant metastasis rate (12.5% in LS and 15.6% in OS, P=0.368), incidence of incision seeding (0.6% in LS and 0 in OS, P=0.189), or cumulative survival (P=0.142). The differences of local recurrences rate (4.8% in LS and 10.7% in OS, P=0.028), 3-year cumulative disease-free survival rate (81% in LS and 68% in OS, P=0.009), and cumulative disease-free survival (P=0.010) between two groups were statistical significant. The differences of cumulative survival, cumulative disease-free survival, local recurrences， and distant metastasis according to the TNM stageⅠ or Ⅱ between two groups were not statistical significant. The differences of cumulative disease-free survival and local recurrences according to the TNM stage Ⅲ reached statistical significance (P=0.045 and P=0.047, respectively). Conclusion Oncologic results of laparoscopic resection are similar to those of open resection for rectal carcinoma．