An analysis of factors influencing treatment options in osteosarcoma

During the past twenty years dramatic advances have been made in the treatment of non-metastatic osteosarcoma (OS) of the extremities in terms of cure rate and quality of life for survivors. While twenty years ago, in spite of amputation, most patients with this tumour died, today about 3/4 of them are cured an amputation is avoided. These advances are due mainly to the development of effective adjuvant and neoadjuvant chemotherapeutic regimens. This review reports on the progress and controversies in the treatment of OS occurred with respect to the construct, experimental design and interpretation of the more important studies which led to these remarkable results.