ABSTRACT
To find out different presentations of carcinoma rectum and efficacy of different methods of its treatment. Three years observational prospective case study of 42 cases of Carcinoma of Rectum was conducted in Liaquat University Hospital, Jamshoro and people's Medical College Hospital, Nawabshah from June 2005 to May 2008. All the patients were assessed comprehensively and underwent for surgical intervention accordingly. The age ranged between 20-90 years of the 42 patients with mean age 52 years and male to female ratio was 2:1. 40.4% cases presented with bleeding per rectum and 21.4% with altered bowel habits. More than 50% tumour was located in lower third of rectum. Regarding Duke's classification, 40 [95.23%] were in C and D stages. Out of 42 cases, 21 [50%] were underwent with colostomy, 5 [11.9%] by anterior resection, 7 [16.6%] by abdomino-perineal resection and [11.9%] by Hartman's procedure. Wound infection seen in 28.8%, urinary tract infection in 19.2% and colostomy complications in 20.6%. All the patients with bleeding per rectum should be referred to the hospitals for early evaluation and proper management. Late referral and diagnosis make life miserable with permanent stoma in our social setup