Reviewer's report
Title:Meta-analysis: preoperative transcatheter arterial chemoembolization does
not improve prognosis of patients with resectable hepatocellular carcinoma
Version: 1Date:13 January 2013
Reviewer: Susumu Eguchi
Reviewer's report:
This study is sufficiently interesting that includes information from 21 studies
(3210 participants) for assessment the role of preoperative TACE for HCC. Also
opinions and conclusions of many authors are still controversial, but as we can
see results of this meta-analysis, there are no significantly differences in
statistical data with TACE+ and TACE-. These kinds of meta-analyses are
important for systematic review procedure and will make us looking for more
standardized methods of reducing recurrence and improve prognosis for
resectable HCC.
Major concerns
1.We have to ensure statistical validity of the study by statistical specialist.
2.Also the type of TACE should be sub-analyzed, such as whole liver TACE
so-called chemolipiodolization ot local TACE alone.
3.The information of background liver should be provided. Because the
recurrence pattern of HCC includes two distinct types, 1. Multicentric occurrence,
2. Intrahepatic metastasis from main tumor. TACE may reduce type 2 recurrence
but type 1 since type 1 recurrence occurs chronically in inflamed liver.
Minor concerns
1.The font of the letters was deranged in P5. It should be corrected.
2.Tables should be compact and written within one page otherwise it was difficult
to read them.
Level of interest: An article whose findings are important to those with closely
related research interests
Quality of written English: Needs some language corrections before being
published
Statistical review: Yes, but I do not feel adequately qualified to assess the
statistics.
Reviewer's report
Title:Meta-analysis: preoperative transcatheter arterial chemoembolization does
not improve prognosis of patients with resectable hepatocellular carcinoma
Version: 1Date:13 January 2013
Reviewer: Susumu Eguchi
Reviewer's report:
This study is sufficiently interesting that includes information from 21 studies
(3210 participants) for assessment the role of preoperative TACE for HCC. Also
opinions and conclusions of many authors are still controversial, but as we can
see results of this meta-analysis, there are no significantly differences in
statistical data with TACE+ and TACE-. These kinds of meta-analyses are
important for systematic review procedure and will make us looking for more
standardized methods of reducing recurrence and improve prognosis for
resectable HCC.
Major concerns
1.We have to ensure statistical validity of the study by statistical specialist.
2.Also the type of TACE should be sub-analyzed, such as whole liver TACE
so-called chemolipiodolization ot local TACE alone.
3.The information of background liver should be provided. Because the
recurrence pattern of HCC includes two distinct types, 1. Multicentric occurrence,
2. Intrahepatic metastasis from main tumor. TACE may reduce type 2 recurrence
but type 1 since type 1 recurrence occurs chronically in inflamed liver.
Minor concerns
1.The font of the letters was deranged in P5. It should be corrected.
2.Tables should be compact and written within one page otherwise it was difficult
to read them.
Level of interest: An article whose findings are important to those with closely
related research interests
Quality of written English: Needs some language corrections before being
published
Statistical review: Yes, but I do not feel adequately qualified to assess the
statistics.
Please review this paper.
user
Reviewer's report
Title:Meta-analysis: preoperative transcatheter arterial chemoembolization does
not improve prognosis of patients with resectable hepatocellular carcinoma
Version: 1Date:13 January 2013
Reviewer: Susumu Eguchi
Reviewer's report:
This study is sufficiently interesting that includes information from 21 studies
(3210 participants) for assessment the role of preoperative TACE for HCC. Also
opinions and conclusions of many authors are still controversial, but as we can
see results of this meta-analysis, there are no significantly differences in
statistical data with TACE+ and TACE-. These kinds of meta-analyses are
important for systematic review procedure and will make us looking for more
standardized methods of reducing recurrence and improve prognosis for
resectable HCC.
Major concerns
1.We have to ensure statistical validity of the study by statistical specialist.
2.Also the type of TACE should be sub-analyzed, such as whole liver TACE
so-called chemolipiodolization ot local TACE alone.
3.The information of background liver should be provided. Because the
recurrence pattern of HCC includes two distinct types, 1. Multicentric occurrence,
2. Intrahepatic metastasis from main tumor. TACE may reduce type 2 recurrence
but type 1 since type 1 recurrence occurs chronically in inflamed liver.
Minor concerns
1.The font of the letters was deranged in P5. It should be corrected.
2.Tables should be compact and written within one page otherwise it was difficult
to read them.
Level of interest: An article whose findings are important to those with closely
related research interests
Quality of written English: Needs some language corrections before being
published
Statistical review: Yes, but I do not feel adequately qualified to assess the
statistics.
assistant