Colorectal and anal cancers in Zaria: A clinico-pathological study

Over a period of 12 years 102 cancers of the colorectum and anal canal were diagnosed in the pathology department of A.B.U. Teaching Hospital, Zaria, These constituted 1.9% of all solid tumours seen in the hospital over the p eriod. The male:female ratio was 1.4:1 and mean age 46 years (range 14-89 y ears). The highest number of eases (25.5%) mere seen in the fifth decade. T he tumours were mostly adenocarcinomas occurring most frequently in the rec tosigmoid region. The anal cancers were almost all squamous cell carcinomas (89%). Seventy-three percent of the patients had advanced disease (Duke's stage C and D) and though 76% of the tumours in those who had surgery were resectable, 69% of these were palliative resections, a consequence of late presentation.