HCG-beta

Human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) is a glycoprotein hormone secreted by the syncytiotrophoblast cells of pregnant embryos. It belongs to the same family of glycoprotein hormones as thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH). HCG is mainly used in the diagnosis of placental trophoblastic and germ cell tumors such as hydatidiform mole and choriocarcinoma and in determination of multiple neuroendocrine tumors.