What is a potential unfortunate result of chemotherapy for embryonal carcinoma?

Chemotherapy for embryonal carcinoma can lead to the unfortunate consequence of differentiation into another type of germ cell tumor. Chemotherapy works by targeting rapidly dividing cells, which is effective for treating cancers like embryonal carcinoma, a type of germ cell tumor. However, the exposure to certain chemotherapeutic agents can induce a transformation of the histological features of the tumor.

In some cases, rather than completely eliminating the cancer, the treatment may provoke the tumor cells to differentiate into a different subtype of germ cell tumor, such as teratoma or seminoma. This differentiation can complicate treatment and management, as these new tumor types might respond differently to chemotherapy and have different prognoses.

While increased tumor size, metastasis to other organs, and development of a secondary cancer can all be potential risks associated with cancer treatment, they do not specifically represent a direct result of the metamorphosis in tumor types as seen with the differentiation phenomenon after chemotherapy. Thus, the differentiation into another type of germ cell tumor highlights a unique aspect of the response of embryonal carcinoma to chemotherapy.