Reviewer's report
Title:Prognostic prediction across a gradient of total tumor volume in patients
with hepatocellular carcinoma undergoing locoregional therapy
Version: 1Date:23 April 2010
Reviewer: Luisa Benvegnu'
Reviewer's report:
In this study Authors evaluate the prognostic value of a new parameter, that is
total tumor volume, in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma undergoing
locoregional therapy. This is an important question in patients with HCC and
chronic liver disease, and the new prognostic predictor proposed is quite simple
for current clinical utilization. However there are several methodological problems
concerning study population and data analysis.
1. Study population is not comparable. In particular is not correct to compare
patients submitted to RF of PEI/PAI versus patients submitted to TACE, as this
latter treatment procedure is considered less effective than PEI or RF. Moreover
patients submitted to TACE have a more advanced HCC than patients treated
with PEI/RF.
2. For this reason, the role of treatment procedure should be tested both in
univariate and in multivariate survival analysis.
3. How HCC therapy efficacy has been tested?
4. Is not clear if vascular invasion means portal vein thrombosis. This should be
specified.
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:Prognostic prediction across a gradient of total tumor volume in patients
with hepatocellular carcinoma undergoing locoregional therapy
Version: 1Date:23 April 2010
Reviewer: Luisa Benvegnu'
Reviewer's report:
In this study Authors evaluate the prognostic value of a new parameter, that is
total tumor volume, in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma undergoing
locoregional therapy. This is an important question in patients with HCC and
chronic liver disease, and the new prognostic predictor proposed is quite simple
for current clinical utilization. However there are several methodological problems
concerning study population and data analysis.
1. Study population is not comparable. In particular is not correct to compare
patients submitted to RF of PEI/PAI versus patients submitted to TACE, as this
latter treatment procedure is considered less effective than PEI or RF. Moreover
patients submitted to TACE have a more advanced HCC than patients treated
with PEI/RF.
2. For this reason, the role of treatment procedure should be tested both in
univariate and in multivariate survival analysis.
3. How HCC therapy efficacy has been tested?
4. Is not clear if vascular invasion means portal vein thrombosis. This should be
specified.
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:Prognostic prediction across a gradient of total tumor volume in patients
with hepatocellular carcinoma undergoing locoregional therapy
Version: 1Date:23 April 2010
Reviewer: Luisa Benvegnu'
Reviewer's report:
In this study Authors evaluate the prognostic value of a new parameter, that is
total tumor volume, in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma undergoing
locoregional therapy. This is an important question in patients with HCC and
chronic liver disease, and the new prognostic predictor proposed is quite simple
for current clinical utilization. However there are several methodological problems
concerning study population and data analysis.
1. Study population is not comparable. In particular is not correct to compare
patients submitted to RF of PEI/PAI versus patients submitted to TACE, as this
latter treatment procedure is considered less effective than PEI or RF. Moreover
patients submitted to TACE have a more advanced HCC than patients treated
with PEI/RF.
2. For this reason, the role of treatment procedure should be tested both in
univariate and in multivariate survival analysis.
3. How HCC therapy efficacy has been tested?
4. Is not clear if vascular invasion means portal vein thrombosis. This should be
specified.
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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