Journal of Brain And Spinal Cancer – Instructions For Author

Instructions for Authors

Comprehensive guidelines for preparing and submitting manuscripts to JBSC.

Title Page: Concise, descriptive title (max 150 characters). Full author names, affiliations, ORCID identifiers, and corresponding author contact details.

Abstract: Structured format with Background, Methods, Results, and Conclusions. Include 4-6 keywords for indexing.

Introduction: Establish context and rationale. State objectives clearly. Review relevant neuro-oncology literature.

Methods: Detailed description enabling replication. Specify patient populations, surgical techniques, imaging protocols, and statistical approaches.

Results: Present findings logically with appropriate statistics. Reference figures and tables sequentially.

Discussion: Interpret findings in context of existing literature. Address limitations and clinical implications.

Submit figures as separate high-resolution files (TIFF, JPEG, PNG, EPS). Number figures consecutively with detailed legends. Surgical photographs should demonstrate key operative steps.

Create tables in editable format. Clinical data tables should include appropriate demographics and statistical measures. Define abbreviations in footnotes.

Use Vancouver citation style with numbered references in order of appearance. Include DOIs where available. Cite primary sources when possible.

Clinical studies require institutional review board approval. State approval details in Methods including committee name and approval number. Obtain patient consent for case reports.

Provide contributor statements using CRediT taxonomy. All authors must meet ICMJE authorship criteria.

Disclose financial relationships, consulting, and research funding from device or pharmaceutical companies.

Submit manuscript as Microsoft Word document. Include all text, references, tables, and figure legends in single file. Submit figures as separate high-resolution files.

• Initial Screening: Editorial assessment of scope and requirements (3-5 days)
• Peer Review: Evaluation by 2-3 neuro-oncology experts (3-4 weeks)
• Revision: Authors address reviewer comments with detailed response
• Acceptance: Final editorial decision followed by production
• Publication: Online publication within 2-3 weeks after proof approval

Prospective clinical studies must be registered in an ICMJE-approved registry before enrollment. Include registration number in abstract.

Extended imaging series, surgical videos, and detailed protocols can be submitted as supplementary materials with separate DOIs.

Manuscripts must be in clear, grammatical English. Authors whose first language is not English are encouraged to use professional editing services.

Randomized trials should follow CONSORT guidelines. Observational studies should follow STROBE reporting standards.

All submissions are screened for originality. Manuscripts with significant overlap with published work may be rejected.

Surgical videos should be edited to demonstrate key steps clearly. Include narration or text annotations explaining techniques. Compress videos appropriately while maintaining quality sufficient for educational purposes.

Anonymize all patient data in imaging and videos. Remove identifying information from DICOM headers. Obtain written consent for case reports and identifiable imaging.

Describe statistical methods with sufficient detail for verification. Specify software used. Report exact p-values and confidence intervals. Survival analyses should include Kaplan-Meier curves and hazard ratios.

Authors must include Data Availability Statements. Deposit datasets in appropriate repositories when feasible. Explain access restrictions if data cannot be fully shared.

Use WHO 2021 CNS tumor classification. Include molecular markers as appropriate for tumor type. Specify grading criteria used.

Address all reviewer comments systematically. Use track changes in revised manuscript. Explain disagreements with detailed rationale. Revisions expected within 60 days.

Include cover letter explaining significance, confirming originality, listing suggested reviewers if desired, and disclosing conflicts of interest.

Deposit genomic and molecular data in appropriate repositories such as GEO or SRA. Include accession numbers in the manuscript. Novel mutations should be reported with appropriate characterization.

Consider depositing neuroimaging datasets in repositories such as TCIA for cancer imaging. Such deposits support research reproducibility and benefit the broader neuro-oncology community.

Errors discovered after publication should be reported promptly. Corrections are published as appropriate. Major errors affecting conclusions may require retraction following COPE guidelines.

JBSC welcomes submissions that have been posted as preprints. Preprint posting does not constitute prior publication. Authors should update preprints with links to published version upon acceptance.

Multi-center collaborative studies are encouraged. Specify institutional contributions and include appropriate author lists reflecting intellectual contributions according to ICMJE criteria.

Studies using cancer registry data should specify data sources, inclusion criteria, and data quality measures. Follow appropriate guidelines for database studies.

Systematic reviews should follow PRISMA guidelines. Include PROSPERO registration when applicable. Provide detailed search strategies for reproducibility.

Meta-analyses should address heterogeneity and publication bias. Include forest plots and appropriate statistical measures. Specify software and methods used.

Authors needing formatting support may request assistance from our editorial office or use language editing services. Manuscripts substantially deviating from requirements may be returned for correction before peer review.