Submit Special Issue
JLCE special issues highlight focused themes in lung cancer epidemiology while maintaining the same review standards as regular issues.
Use the guidance below to align your submission with the correct special issue theme.
How to submit to a special issue
Select the theme
Review active topics and choose the best fit.
Mention the issue
Include the special issue title in your cover letter.
Follow author guidelines
Prepare files according to JLCE instructions.
Submit your files
Upload through ManuscriptZone or the submission form.
Monitor communications
Respond promptly to editor and reviewer queries.
Track revisions
Use a point by point response letter for changes.
Data access
Provide repository links or controlled access details.
Conflicts
Disclose funding and conflict of interest statements.
Submission file checklist
Main manuscript
Structured sections and figure legends.
Cover letter
Identify the special issue and scope fit.
Figures
Separate high resolution figure files.
Ethics documentation
IRB approvals or registry permissions.
Data availability
Data access statement and repository information.
Reporting checklist
STROBE, PRISMA, or other relevant checklist.
Supplementary files
Extended data or methods if needed.
Suggested reviewers
Optional list of qualified reviewers.
How special issue review works
Special issue manuscripts are managed by guest editors in collaboration with JLCE editors to ensure consistent standards and unbiased decisions.
Reviews focus on methodological rigor, population relevance, and alignment with the special issue theme.
Issues that delay review
Missing issue title
The cover letter does not identify the special issue.
Incomplete data statement
No repository link or access description.
Ethics gaps
Approvals or consent documentation missing.
Low resolution figures
Figures that cannot be used in production.
Scope mismatch
Manuscript does not align with the theme.
Unclear methods
Insufficient detail for reviewers to evaluate rigor.
What happens next
Accepted papers are published open access and grouped under the special issue theme for visibility.
If the issue closes before acceptance, the article may be published in the next available issue with special issue labeling.
Responding to reviewer feedback
Provide a detailed response letter addressing each reviewer comment and highlight changes in the manuscript.
If a requested analysis is not feasible, explain the limitation and offer supporting justification or sensitivity analyses.
Signals of strong alignment
Theme alignment
Connect findings directly to the special issue theme.
Population relevance
Describe the population or registry that anchors the analysis.
Policy value
Explain how results inform prevention or screening decisions.
Method clarity
Provide enough detail for reviewers to assess rigor.
Planning for review windows
Special issue submissions follow standard review timelines, so submit early if the theme has a target publication window.
Help us route your manuscript
Mention the special issue theme in the cover letter so editors can assign the correct team.
If data are multi site, clarify how harmonization was handled across contributing centers.
Launch or Join a Special Issue
Propose a focused theme or submit to an ongoing collection in lung cancer epidemiology.
