Carcinoma of the anus in Nigerians

In the 18-year period between 1960 and 1978, only 20 cases of carcinoma of the anus were recorded in the Cancer Registry of the University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria; of these 18 were treated in the hospital. This paper is an analysis of the clinicopathologic features and outcome of treatment of ten patients whose records could be traced. There was a slight female predominance, with anal canal tumours being more common than anal margin tumors. Most cases were advanced when first seen and the commonest manifestations were passage of mucoid stool, with blood and anal pain. The tumors tended to grow circumferentially and could be confused with anorectal tuberculosis, schistosomiasis, and lymphogranuloma venereum. Prognosis was better with anal margin tumors.