human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG or B-HCG)

A protein normally made by the placenta during pregnancy that is not usually found in the blood of healthy women who are not pregnant or in healthy men. Pregnancy tests often look for HCG.

HCG can be used as a tumour marker. It is used to look for choriocarcinoma or monitor a person’s response to treatment for testicular cancer or gestational trophoblastic disease.