Review for 10.1186/s12876-018-0877-9 (2018)

Reviewer ’s report  
Title: Low lymphocyte count and high monocyte count predicts poor prognosis of gastric cancer  
 
Version: 2 Date: 07 Aug 2018  
 
Reviewer: Theodoros Karantanos  
 
Reviewer's report:  
This is an interesting retr ospective study evaluating the impact of absolute number of peripheral 
blood cells in the prognosis of patients with gastric cancer. The authors showed that high 
neutrophils, monocytes and platelets and low lymphocytes are associated with worse prognosis 
in gastric cancer focusing on overall survival. Absolute lymphocytes and monocytes are the only 
independent factors. Absolute numbers are more useful than rates and I would agree that these 
correlations are important.  
 
I have only a few relatively minor po ints: 
 
1) Did the authors do any correlation with other outcomes (i.e Progression free survival), this 
may be particularly interesting in these patients with early disease? There is evidence that 
lymphocytes contribute to better GI tumors control following  surgery  
 
2) It seems that the predictive role of the absolute number of PBCs is important for stages II/III 
but not stage I. The number of stage I patients is not different to the stage II patients so I am 
wondering what is the explanation of this phenom enon by the authors?  
 
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.  
Unable to assess  
Are the conclusions drawn adequa tely 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 manus cript or would you recommend an 
additional statistical review?  
If an additional statistical review is recommende d, please speci fy what aspects require further 
assessment in your comments to the editors.  
I am able to assess the statistics  
Quality of written English  
Please indicate the quality of language in the manuscript:  
Acceptable  
Declaration of competing interest s 
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