Current strategies of chemotherapy in osteosarcoma

Osteosarcoma, the most common type of primary malignant tumour that develops in bone, can be classified into several different sub-types. While the majority of osteosarcomas are highly malignant, there are some low-grade variants. Since the introduction of chemotherapy into the multi-modal treatment regimen of high-grade osteosarcoma, its prognosis has impressively improved, with long-term survival being achieved in two-thirds of all patients. This review summarises current chemotherapeutic treatment strategies in classical osteosarcoma and also addresses the indication for chemotherapy in more unusual types and variants. It emphasises the need for treatment in specialised centres and within prospective, multi-institutional trials, amongst which EURAMOS1 and EURO-B.O.S.S are currently active in many European countries.