[Carcinoma of the anal canal. Anatomical study of 21 cases]

21 cases of carcinoma of the anal canal in 20 patients are reported. There is a marked predominance in females (17 cases). The preferential location is the posterior wall of the anal canal. Basaloid type carcinoma is most frequent. At the time of diagnosis most patients exhibited marked extension of the tumour, either in the form of infiltration of adjacent organs (10/18 cases), especially to the rectovaginal space, or of metastases to regional lymph nodes or elswhere. The prognosis is as a rule poor. Apart from 3 patients still living, there were no survivors at 3 years.