Reviewer ’s report  
 
Title: A PATHOLOGICAL AND CLINICAL STUDY OF 706 PRIMARY TUMOURS OF 
THE  OVARY IN THE LARGEST TERTIARY H OSPITAL IN GHANA  
 
Version: 1 Date: 11 Jul 2016  
 
Reviewer: Tania L Slatter  
 
Reviewer's report:  
 
The manuscript by Akakpo et al. describes the type of ovarian tumours diagnosed over a ten -year 
period in a Ghanaian Hospital using the World Health  Organization guidelines of 1999. From a 
large cohort of tumours the authors found germ cell tumours were the most frequent. The 
manuscript is generally well written. Greater justification for the study conclusions is required. 
The methods used for the sta tistical analysis are missing in the Materials and Methods. The 
authors conclude that no specific symptoms were associated with ovarian tumours at 
presentation. It is ambiguous who those with ovarian tumours were being compared with. It is 
not stated in th e results whether the clinical symptoms such as tumour size were investigated in 
relation to tumour type and tumour behaviour. Additional information in relation to tumour size 
and relative to tumour type is alluded to in the Discussion. Conclusions are ma de in relation to 
age differences in comparison to Western studies. Those with malignant tumours are on average 
older compared to those with low -malignant potential tumours. For greater relevance to the other 
studies referenced patient ages should be separ ated for those with malignant and benign tumours. 
Burkitt's lymphoma was the most common malignant tumour in those under 20 years, 
considering only eight lymphomas were included in the study this finding relates to few women 
and children. Including lymphom a in the age distribution tables would highlight the relevance to 
the younger individuals. It is not clear how this study would better aid patient management from 
that already performed.  
 
 
 
Minor: Table 2, column 8: 187 should read 287  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Are the methods appropriate an d 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 a dequately supported by the data shown?  
If not, please explain in your comments to the authors.  
 
No 
 
Are you able to assess any statistics in the manuscript or would you recommend an  
additional statistical review?  
If an additional statistical review is recom mended, please specify what aspects require further  
assessment in your comments to the editors.  
 
I recommend additional statistical review  
 
Quality of written English  
Please indicate the quality of language in the manuscript:  
 
Acceptable  
 
Declaration of competing interests  
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