BETA-HCG is the abbreviation for the beta subunit of a hormone called human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG).
This hormone is normally produced during pregnancy. Therefore, the diagnosis of pregnancy can be made by detecting its elevation in the blood.
In oncology, it is used as a tumor marker to assist in the diagnosis of certain types of tumors such as gestational trophoblastic tumors, testicular, ovarian, or central nervous system tumors.
It is usually measured from blood samples, but can also be measured in cerebrospinal fluid or urine.
