Reviewer's report
Title:Outcomes and factors influencing the survival in cases with spontaneous
rupture of hepatocellular carcinoma: a multicenter study
Version: 2Date:9 January 2009
Reviewer: Kelvin K C Ng
Reviewer's report:
Major Compulsory Revisions
This is a retrospective multicenter study on the survival outcome and the
associated prognostic factors in patients with spontaneous ruptured
hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Transarterial embolization (TAE) was the only
independent prognostic factor affecting median survival. One criticism is the way
to elaborate the univariate and multivariate analysis of those prognostic factors is
not clear. First, the authors need to describe clearly all clinicopathologic factors
to be considered for the analysis. Second, the results of univariate analysis
needs to be presented and preferably tabulated. Third, the detailed results of
multivariate analysis needs to be mentioned. Moreover, due to small number of
patients in TAE group, the results of multivariate analysis in this subgroup is not
valid.
Minor Essential Revisions
1. Table 2 is not necessary since its information is repeated in Fig 1.
2. Was there any complication after TAE treatment?
3. What would be subsequent management protocol after successful TAE
treatment?
Discretionary Revisions
N/A
Level of interest: An article of importance in its field
Quality of written English: Acceptable
Statistical review: No, the manuscript does not need to be seen by a
statistician.
Declaration of competing interests:
I declare that I have no competing interests
Reviewer's report
Title:Outcomes and factors influencing the survival in cases with spontaneous
rupture of hepatocellular carcinoma: a multicenter study
Version: 2Date:9 January 2009
Reviewer: Kelvin K C Ng
Reviewer's report:
Major Compulsory Revisions
This is a retrospective multicenter study on the survival outcome and the
associated prognostic factors in patients with spontaneous ruptured
hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Transarterial embolization (TAE) was the only
independent prognostic factor affecting median survival. One criticism is the way
to elaborate the univariate and multivariate analysis of those prognostic factors is
not clear. First, the authors need to describe clearly all clinicopathologic factors
to be considered for the analysis. Second, the results of univariate analysis
needs to be presented and preferably tabulated. Third, the detailed results of
multivariate analysis needs to be mentioned. Moreover, due to small number of
patients in TAE group, the results of multivariate analysis in this subgroup is not
valid.
Minor Essential Revisions
1. Table 2 is not necessary since its information is repeated in Fig 1.
2. Was there any complication after TAE treatment?
3. What would be subsequent management protocol after successful TAE
treatment?
Discretionary Revisions
N/A
Level of interest: An article of importance in its field
Quality of written English: Acceptable
Statistical review: No, the manuscript does not need to be seen by a
statistician.
Declaration of competing interests:
I declare that I have no competing interests
Please review this paper.
user
Reviewer's report
Title:Outcomes and factors influencing the survival in cases with spontaneous
rupture of hepatocellular carcinoma: a multicenter study
Version: 2Date:9 January 2009
Reviewer: Kelvin K C Ng
Reviewer's report:
Major Compulsory Revisions
This is a retrospective multicenter study on the survival outcome and the
associated prognostic factors in patients with spontaneous ruptured
hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Transarterial embolization (TAE) was the only
independent prognostic factor affecting median survival. One criticism is the way
to elaborate the univariate and multivariate analysis of those prognostic factors is
not clear. First, the authors need to describe clearly all clinicopathologic factors
to be considered for the analysis. Second, the results of univariate analysis
needs to be presented and preferably tabulated. Third, the detailed results of
multivariate analysis needs to be mentioned. Moreover, due to small number of
patients in TAE group, the results of multivariate analysis in this subgroup is not
valid.
Minor Essential Revisions
1. Table 2 is not necessary since its information is repeated in Fig 1.
2. Was there any complication after TAE treatment?
3. What would be subsequent management protocol after successful TAE
treatment?
Discretionary Revisions
N/A
Level of interest: An article of importance in its field
Quality of written English: Acceptable
Statistical review: No, the manuscript does not need to be seen by a
statistician.
Declaration of competing interests:
I declare that I have no competing interests
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