Chemotherapy in osteosarcoma. Basis for application and antagonism to implementation; early controversies surrounding its implementation.

Chemotherapy in osteosarcoma has had a major impact in attaining metastasis-free survival, and the cure rates with the use of modern regimens range from 65% to 75%. Preoperative chemotherapy has facilitated surgical resection of the primary tumor, rendering increased numbers of candidates for limb salvage. The effects on the primary tumor may be used as a predictive factor in determining outcome.