Review for 10.1186/s12876-020-01422-9 (2020)

Reviewer’ s report
Title: Very Low Risk of Lymph Node Metastasis in Epstein-Barr Virus-associated Early Gastric
Carcinoma With Lymphoid Stroma
Version: 1Date: 19 Jun 2020
Reviewer: Satoki Shichijo
Reviewer's report:
This study analyzed EBV associated early gastric carcinoma with lymphoid stroma.
This study has novelty and is an interesting study, but there are several concerns to be raised.
Major
1.During the study period, how many endoscopic resections of early gastric cancer wereperformed? And show the detail of them. Selection bias may exist between surgery andendoscopic resection.2.Some description in the methods section should be moved to results section. For example,"Among 595 qualified early gastric carcinoma…".3.At the last part of the Clinicopathological investigation section, histological diagnostic criteriafor gastric carcinoma with lymphoid stroma were classified into 3 groups. Is this classificationpopular? Cite some references. Or is it one authors made?4.3 or 8 EBV-GCLS accompanied gastric GIST! It is a high ratio. Can you show some geneticanalysis in the future?
Minor
1.In abstract, describe in brief about the definitions of 3 groups so that readers can understand justby reading abstract.2.Gastric GISTs are not included in gastric malignant tumors? Changing words may be better.
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Are the methods appropriate and well described?
If not, please specify what is required in your comments to the authors.
NoDoes 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.
YesAre 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 furtherassessment in your comments to the editors.
Not relevant to this manuscriptQuality of written English
Please indicate the quality of language in the manuscript:
Needs some language corrections before being published
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