Review for 10.1186/s12876-017-0630-9 (2017)

Reviewer ’s report  
 
Title:  Clinicopathological features and surgical outcomes of neuroendocrine tumors of ampulla 
of Vater  
 
Version: 0 Date: 03 Jan 2017 
 
Reviewer:  Piotr  Czapiewski  
 
Reviewer’s report:  
 
In this manuscript authors describe a group of 5 neuroen docrine tumors of the ampulla of Vater.  
 
The manuscript is quite well written and contains important clinically relevant data.  
 
There are however some negative points in the manuscript.  
 
 
In subchapter "pathologic findings":  
 
The title of the subchapter "pa thology" would probably sound better.  
 
Authors wrote "In case 3, the histological result was collision tumor accompanied with 
neuroendocrine tumor and adenocarcinoma  
 
(pT1)". Authors should explain their opinion, particularly why do  they think that this is a 
collission Tumor (two separate tumor entities) and not one carcinoma with glandular and 
neuroendocrine differentiation. It would be of value to include some microscopic pictures.  
 
Further authors wrote "In this patient, liver metastases was confirmed as neuroendocrine tumor 
by needle biopsy 10 months after surgery" - this sentence refers to the case No.3. However, as 
one can see in table No.1 Case 3 did not show evidence of reccurence. Authors should solve this 
obvious mistake.  
 
In table 2 did not give th e numer of all lymph nodes, they only provided data about number of 
metastatic lymph nodes. This data should be included (for example 1/15, 4/20).  
 
English in the whole manuscript requires revision by a native speaker in english.  
 
In general I recommend acceptance of the article after minor revision.  
 
Are the methods appropriate and well described?  
If not, please specify what is required in your comments to the authors.  
 
Yes 
 
Does the work include the necessary controls?  
If not, please specify which controls are required in your comments to the authors.  
 
Yes 
 
Are the conclusions drawn adequately supported by the data shown?  
If not, please explain in your comments to the authors.  
 
Yes 
 
Are you  able to assess any statistics in the manuscript or would you recommend an 
additional statistical review?  
If an additional statistical review is recommended, please specify what aspects require further 
assessment in your comments to the editors.  
 
Not relevant to this manuscript  
 
Quality of written English  
Please indicate the quality of language in the manuscript:  
 
Needs some language corrections before being published  
 
Declaration of competing interests  
Please complete a declaration of competing interests, considering the following questions:  
 
1. Have you in the past five years received reimbursements, fees, funding, or salary from an 
organisation that may in any way gain or lose financially from the publication of this 
manuscript, either now or in t he future?  
 
2. Do you hold any stocks or shares in an organisation that may in any way gain or lose 
financially from the publication of this manuscript, either now or in the future?  
 
3. Do you hold or are you currently applying for any patents relating to the content of the 
manuscript?  
 
4. Have you received reimbursements, fees, funding, or salary from an organization that 
holds or has applied for patents relating to the content of the manuscript?  
 
5. Do you have any other financial competing interests?  
 
6. Do you have any non -financial competing interests in relation to this paper?  
 
If you can answer no to all of the above, write 'I declare that I have no competing interests' 
below. If your reply is yes to any, please give details below.  
 
I declare that I have no competing interests  
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