Forty-two histologically confirmed cases of colo-rectal carcinoma were analysed. Thirty-three per cent were below the age of 30 years. Patients presented at an advanced stage of the disease evidenced by lympth node and/or hepatic involvement, ascites and intestinal obstruction. Nearly half of the patients had low grade tumours. Emergency and multi-staged operations were often necessary. The hospital mortality rate was 38.2 per cent. The problems of diagnosis and management under the conditions prevailing in the Sudan were discussed. It is suggested that a better health education of the people and more awareness of the medical profession are necessary to improve the present results.