Surgery is the main modality of cure for solid cancers and was prioritised to continue during COVID-19 outbreaks. This study aimed to identify immediate areas for system strengthening by comparing the delivery of elective cancer surgery during the COVID-19 pandemic in periods of lockdown versus light restriction. This international, prospective, cohort study enrolled 20 006 adult (≥18 years) patients from 466 hospitals in 61 countries with 15 cancer types, who had a decision for curative surgery during the COVID-19 pandemic and were followed up until the point of surgery or cessation of follow-up (Aug 31, 2020). Average national Oxford COVID-19 Stringency Index scores were calculated to define the government response to COVID-19 for each patient for the period they awaited surgery, and classified into light restrictions (index 60). The primary outcome was the non-operation rate (defined as the proportion of patients who did not undergo planned surgery). Cox proportional-hazards regression models were used to explore the associations between lockdowns and non-operation. Intervals from diagnosis to surgery were compared across COVID-19 government response index groups. This study was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04384926. Of eligible patients awaiting surgery, 2003 (10·0%) of 20 006 did not receive surgery after a median follow-up of 23 weeks (IQR 16–30), all of whom had a COVID-19-related reason given for non-operation. Light restrictions were associated with a 0·6% non-operation rate (26 of 4521), moderate lockdowns with a 5·5% rate (201 of 3646; adjusted hazard ratio [HR] 0·81, 95% CI 0·77–0·84; p<0·0001), and full lockdowns with a 15·0% rate (1775 of 11 827; HR 0·51, 0·50–0·53; p<0·0001). In sensitivity analyses, including adjustment for SARS-CoV-2 case notification rates, moderate lockdowns (HR 0·84, 95% CI 0·80–0·88; p<0·001), and full lockdowns (0·57, 0·54–0·60; p<0·001), remained independently associated with non-operation. Surgery beyond 12 weeks from diagnosis in patients without neoadjuvant therapy increased during lockdowns (374 [9·1%] of 4521 in light restrictions, 317 [10·4%] of 3646 in moderate lockdowns, 2001 [23·8%] of 11 827 in full lockdowns), although there were no differences in resectability rates observed with longer delays. Cancer surgery systems worldwide were fragile to lockdowns, with one in seven patients who were in regions with full lockdowns not undergoing planned surgery and experiencing longer preoperative delays. Although short-term oncological outcomes were not compromised in those selected for surgery, delays and non-operations might lead to long-term reductions in survival. During current and future periods of societal restriction, the resilience of elective surgery systems requires strengthening, which might include protected elective surgical pathways and long-term investment in surge capacity for acute care during public health emergencies to protect elective staff and services. National Institute for Health Research Global Health Research Unit, Association of Coloproctology of Great Britain and Ireland, Bowel and Cancer Research, Bowel Disease Research Foundation, Association of Upper Gastrointestinal Surgeons, British Association of Surgical Oncology, British Gynaecological Cancer Society, European Society of Coloproctology, Medtronic, Sarcoma UK, The Urology Foundation, Vascular Society for Great Britain and Ireland, and Yorkshire Cancer Research.

Introduction Primary synovial sarcoma (SS) of the prostate is the rarest variety of prostate sarcoma. The first documented and confirmed case of SS of the prostate was published by Iwasaki et al in the year 1999; since then, only a few cases of primary SS of the prostate have been published in English literature. Case Report We report a unique case of primary SS in a young patient who presented with acute urinary retention and underwent emergency suprapubic catheterization, and on evaluation was diagnosed with primary SS of the prostate. Patient was managed with radical cystoprostatectomy and resection of the anterior wall of rectum infiltrated by the tumor with bilateral pelvic lymph node dissection and adjuvant chemotherapy. Patient died after 2 months of surgery. Conclusion Primary SS of the prostate is a rare disease and important clinical entity to be included in differential diagnosis of acute urinary retention in young patients. It is associated with high local recurrence and poor prognosis, which warrants multidisciplinary approach of treatment.

Primary sarcoma of the breast is a rare clinical entity with an incidence of less than 1% among cases of breast cancer. Primary osteosarcoma of the breast is a very rare disease that shares clinical features similar to metaplastic breast carcinoma. A 57-year-old female Dravidian patient presented with a breast lump. A needle biopsy was suggestive of carcinoma. However, the mammogram was suggestive of dense calcification lesion, which is unusual in carcinoma. She underwent breast conservation surgery with sentinel lymph node biopsy; final histopathology was suggestive of osteosarcoma of the breast. After a follow-up of 18 months, the patient is healthy and disease-free. Primary breast osteosarcoma has to be considered as one of the differential diagnoses to metaplastic carcinoma and warrants a different treatment approach. Whenever there is discordance in clinical features, imaging, and histology, thorough evaluation with the mammogram, immunohistochemistry, and PET scan helps to resolve the issue.

Anorectal diseases such as hemorrhoids and anal fissures are the common entities encountered during pregnancy. However anorectal abscess is uncommon condition warrants emergency surgery. There is a significant risk of adverse outcomes, premature birth, and fetal loss due to surgery. A strategic approach considering risk and benefit is required in managing such conditions. We report one such case of horseshoe abscess in a 19 years old pregnant lady.