Clinicopathological Features of Colorectal Cancer at Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital, Sokoto State

Colorectal cancer is experiencing an increasing incidence in Nigeria, particularly in younger adults, yet institutional data from North West states documenting its clinicopathological characteristics remain insufficient. This study examines the clinicopathological features, staging, and management outcomes of colorectal cancer at Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital, Sokoto State. A retrospective descriptive design is applied to surgical and histopathology records over a five-year period from 2018 to 2022. Variables include patient age, sex, presenting symptoms, duration before presentation, tumour location, histological type and grade, AJCC TNM stage, surgical procedure, and 12-month survival outcome. SPSS is used for statistical analysis. Available surgical oncology literature from North West Nigeria identifies rectal carcinoma as the most common colorectal cancer site, with adenocarcinoma the dominant histological type, and over 60 percent of cases presenting at stage III or IV. The AJCC Cancer Staging Manual (eighth edition) provides the TNM staging reference. Findings will contribute to the North West zone's cancer registry data and support advocacy for colorectal cancer awareness, early detection campaigns, and endoscopy capacity development. Keywords: colorectal cancer, clinicopathology, TNM staging, Sokoto State, North West Nigeria.