Reviewer’s report
Title: 
Recurrence Characteristics and Clinicopathological Results of Borderline
Ovarian Tumors
Version: 
0 
Date: 
12 Nov 2020
Reviewer: 
John Soper
Reviewer's report:
This is a retrospective analysis of 286 patients with borderline ovarian tumors
analyzed to investigate clinical and pathologic characteristics recurrence and
prognostic factors. 
Unfortunately, the authors fail to analyze their patients in a
manner that provides guidance for clinicians who are managing these patients. 
First although the patients are stratified by stage and pathology for
micropapillary features interstitial infiltration and "calcified sand bodies
(psomomma bodies?)" there is no information regarding major histological types
(eg: serous mucinous etc). 
If the patient cohort is solely comprised of serous
lesions the authors should specify this. 
If not they need to include this
information.
Second and most serious is the use of simple comparative CHI-square or Fisher
exact tests and logistic regression analysis of these simplistic statistical methods.
In a study that attempts to analyze survival or progression-free survival life-table
analysis should be performed and compared among groups. 
This might provide
clinicians with valuable information: 
although it appears that patients who are
treated with conservative surgery have an increased recurrence rate lifetable
analysis could be used to make recommendations for timing of completion
surgery. 
Lifetables could also assist in recommending duration of follow up for
patients treated with radical surgery.
The text should be copy-edited for grammar and useage.
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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?
No
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Yes
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from apparent manipulation?
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