Review for 10.1186/s12876-022-02399-3 (2022)

Reviewer’s report
Title: 
Subjective factors affecting prognosis of 469 patients with esophageal
squamous cell carcinoma: A retrospective cohort study of endoscopic screening
Version: 
0 
Date: 
28 Apr 2022
Reviewer's report:
The authors evaluated the importance of symptomatology to prognosis of a fairly
common malignancy but with no current screening guidelines. The research
question is remarkably simple but logical. The study design is appropriate to
answer these questions. Very importantly, the study limitations are aptly
acknowledged in the discussion. The minor issues requiring clarification are as
follows:
1. Patients with multiple lesions, only the largest tumor was included. This is a
factor that could potentially alter the study outcome. The authors should
therefore include the number of patients with this criteria (multiple tumors), to
give the reader an idea of how common this occurred in this cohort and give
some practical context to local applicability.
2. The conclusion is to institute screening protocol to at risk men is rather
incomplete. Are there extractable data from this study to suggest the age of onset
for such screening? This is either completely absent or unclear.
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Is the study design appropriate to answer the research question (including the use
of appropriate controls), and are the conclusions supported by the evidence
presented?
Yes
Are the methods sufficiently described to allow the study to be repeated?
Yes
Is the use of statistics and treatment of uncertainties appropriate?
Yes
Is the presentation of the work clear?
Yes
Are the images in this manuscript (including electrophoretic gels and blots) free
from apparent manipulation?
Yes