A total of 254 cases of colorectal neoplasms were studied. A male predomina
nce was noted with both benign and malignant neoplasms (M:F of 4.6:1 and 1.
1:1 respectively). The peak incidence was in the fifth decade. The rectum w
as the commonest site for both benign and malignant neoplasms (75% and 63%
respectively) followed by the sigmoid colon (11% and 16% respectively). Rig
ht-sided cancers presented commonly as fungating masses (74%) while left si
ded cancers were predominantly of the ulcerating/infiltrating pattern (81%)
, The commonest benign neoplasm was tubular adenoma (39%) while the commone
st malignant neoplasm was adenocarcinoma (90%) followed by squamous cell ca
rcinoma (4%), Advanced stage on presentation was noted with these cancers,
especially the mucinous adenocarcinoma variant. This may be explained by th
e usual late presentation of patients to orthodox doctors in our environmen
t.