Objective To investigate relation of anxiety, depression and quality of life for patients with anus-saving surgery of rectal cancer. Methods Sixty patients with rectal cancer accepted anus-saving surgery were investigated with self-designed survey, hospital anxiety and depression scale(HADS)and the MOS 36 items short form health survey(SF-36). The correlation between patients with anxiety and depression and the quality of life used pearson correlation analysis. Results Colorectal cancer confirmed anal postoperative elderly patients with anxiety and depression and quality of life were negatively correlated (r value of 0.312 and 0.495 respectively, P<0.05). The postoperative SF-36 was (64.2 ± 11.76), 36.67%and 36.00%patients were evaluated to anxiety and depression respectively . Conclusion In order to reduce patients' anxiety and depression and improve their quality , nursing staff should actively protect elderly patients with anal rectal cancer, psychological emotional support, guide them to adopt measures, such as relaxation therapy so as to improve their quality of life.