ABSTRACT
Forensic investigations have been embraced in many developed countries to help investigate homicidal cases in their legal system amongst others. It is however still in infancy state in many developing countries, including Nigeria, making the use of this very vital tool very limited to prosecute cases. Some of the reasons include the low knowledge base of the investigating officers, to the dearth of Forensic personnel and the inability to use the findings to prosecute the offenders. The few cases where proper investigation is done, anatomic pathologists and sometimes medical officers are usually called to provide the forensic evidence. Often this involves exhumation of corpse. Exhumation of corpses for death investigation is not a common occurrence in Nigeria and we present the findings seen in these cases.
Subject(s)
Ceremonial Behavior , Exhumation , Forensic Medicine , Homicide , Adult , Aged , Autopsy , Female , Humans , Male , Nigeria , PregnancyABSTRACT
AIM: To study the frequency, gender and age distribution as well as pathological characteristics of colorectal carcinoma (CRC) in Lagos and Sagamu in SW Nigeria. METHODS: This is a retrospective pathological review of histologically diagnosed CRC from 5 laboratories in Lagos and Sagamu. The clinical data, such as age, sex and clinical summary were extracted from demographic information. Cases of anal cancer were excluded from this study. RESULTS: There were 420 cases (237 males and 183 females) of CRC. It peaked in the 60-69 year age group (mean: 50.7; SD: 16.2), M:F ratio 1.3:1 and 23% occurred below 40 years. The majority was well to moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma 321 (76.4%), mucinous carcinoma 45 (10.7%) and signet ring carcinoma 5 (1.2%), and more common in patients under 40 years compared to well differentiated tumors. The recto-sigmoid colon was the most common site (58.6%). About 51% and 34% of cases presented at TNM stages II and III, respectively. CONCLUSION: CRC is the commonest malignant gastrointestinal (GIT) tumor most commonly located in the recto-sigmoid region. The age and sex prevalence and histopathological features concur with reports from other parts of the world.
