Clustering Molecular Subtypes in Breast Cancer, Immunohistochemical Parameters and Risk of Axillary Nodal Involvement

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

The authors are commended for this work. Their data provides important insight about risk of nodal involvement in breast cancer based on histological subtype which can help guide physicians identify the best treatment modality and the need for adjuvant therapy.

However a limitation of the study would be if some patients received neoadjuvant treatment prior to surgery as this can significantly affect the pathological nodal status. The authors need to confirm that no patient received neoadjuvant treatment or report those who did and control for that.

Author Response

Reviewer#1

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

The authors are commended for this work. Their data provides important insight about risk of nodal involvement in breast cancer based on histological subtype which can help guide physicians identify the best treatment modality and the need for adjuvant therapy.

However a limitation of the study would be if some patients received neoadjuvant treatment prior to surgery as this can significantly affect the pathological nodal status. The authors need to confirm that no patient received neoadjuvant treatment or report those who did and control for that.

Answer: The authors thank the reviewer for the comment. There are no patients in this study undergoing NACT prior to surgery, in the period between 2000-2013 it was not a common practice in our Hospital. I will include this comment in the revised text.

Reviewer 2 Report

I recommend accepting it in its current form. 

Author Response

Reviewer#2

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

I recommend accepting it in its current form. 

Answer: I appreciate the time and effort that the reviewer has dedicated to providing your valuable feedback on my manuscript.