Review for 10.1186/s12876-021-02049-0 (2021)

Reviewer’s report
Title: 
Early verrucous cell carcinoma of the esophagus: a case report and
endoscopic and histologic features
Version: 
1 
Date: 
29 Oct 2021
Reviewer's report:
"PEER REVIEWER ASSESSMENTS: 
OBJECTIVE - Full research articles: is there a clear objective that addresses a
testable research question(s) (brief or other article types: is there a clear
objective)?
Yes - there is a clear objective
DESIGN - Is the current approach (including controls and analysis protocols)
appropriate for the objective?
Yes - the approach is appropriate
EXECUTION - Are the experiments and analyses performed with technical rigor
to allow confidence in the results?
Yes - experiments and analyses were performed appropriately
STATISTICS - Is the use of statistics in the manuscript appropriate?
No - there are issues with the statistics in the study
INTERPRETATION - Is the current interpretation/discussion of the results
reasonable and not overstated?
Yes - the author's interpretation is reasonable
OVERALL MANUSCRIPT POTENTIAL - Is the current version of this work
technically sound? If not, can revisions be made to make the work technically
sound?
Probably - with minor revisions
PEER REVIEWER COMMENTS: 
GENERAL COMMENTS: 
The authors have provided a detailed description of the endoscopic and
histopathologic analysis of a single case of verrucous cell carcinoma of the
esophagus. The authors indicate this has not invaded or shown apparent
metastasis thus it represents an early lesion and provide the endoscopic features
that may make diagnosis easier in future cases. The descriptions are clear and the
writing is for the most part fine with the exception of several sentences listed
below that require modification for grammatical and clarity issues.
REQUESTED REVISIONS: 
1. Page 2, line 12: However, no early cases of VCCE have been reported…
2. Page 2, line 20: A 54-year-old man with a history of excessive alcohol and
tobacco use was…
3. Page 2, line 28: 
…showed a tiny papillary micro-surface structure.
4. Page 2, line 39: This is a report of early VCCE and description of its
endoscopic features which will contribute to early detection of these cancers.
5. Page 3, line 14: The clinical presentation of VCCE currently lacks specificity.
6. Page 3, line 20: Despite its slow growth and well differentiation,…
7. Page 3, line 36:..propria (M2) which may help contribute to the early detection
of VCCE.
8. Page 3, line 44: (since massive refers to size recommend: A 54-year-old man
with a history of excessive alcohol…
9. Page 3, line 44: Local tobacco is not clear. Is this locally grown tobacco?
10. Page 5, line 12: The etiology of VCCE is not clear and it seems to be
associated with chronic inflammatory conditions or a long tern local disease
process.
11. Page 5, line 20:…smoking and alcohol abuse.
ADDITIONAL REQUESTS/SUGGESTIONS: 
It may beyond the scope of the authors intentions but they might consider DNA
sequence analysis or minimally analysis of the histologic sections for
immunohistochemical analysis of p53 and EGFR. Mutations in p53 are common
in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma as is overexpression of the epidermal
growth factor receptor, and this would provide initial molecular insight into this
rare cancer type."
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