Abstract
To evaluate the use of cytology for rapid detection of anorectal malignancies, 169 suspected cases of malignancies of rectum and anal canal were studied by the gloved digital scrape method and fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) by Franzen technique. Correlation of the cytological findings with histopathology showed diagnostic accuracy of 91.1% with no false positive report. Cytological detection of anorectal cancers is a quick, safe and painless method with high diagnostic accuracy in the hands of trained cytopathologists. It does not require any anaesthesia and can be carried out as a routine diagnostic method in the out-patient department in all oncologic centres. The advantages of cytologic diagnosis over endoscopic biopsies in some cases of malignant ulcers covered with necrotic slough is also highlighted.