Findings from a recent multicentre study suggest that there may be no need for presurgical chemotherapy when treating osteosarcoma. At present, chemotherapy before surgery is standard practice. However, in spite of the trial results, other researchers are arguing in favour of maintaining the presurgical treatment approach. This issue was discussed at the 5th International Conference on Anticancer Chemotherapy [Paris, France; Feb 1995], along with other findings relating to the optimal treatment of osteosarcoma.