Pediatric osteosarcoma: treatment of the primary tumor with intraarterial cis-diamminedichloroplatinum-II (CDP)--advantages, disadvantages, and controversial issues.

Cumulative courses of intraarterial CDP are highly effective for treatment of the primary tumor in osteosarcoma. The response permitted limb-salvage procedures to be performed in a majority of patients. Responses induced in the primary tumor with multiagent chemotherapy, including reduced doses of CDP, were similar to those obtained with cumulative courses of intraarterial CDP. It is suggested that identical results may be attained with single-agent intravenous CDP by augmenting the dose intensity.