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The beta subunit of human chorionic gonadotropin. It is used as a clinical marker to facilitate early detection of normal pregnancy and significantly contributes to the diagnosis of various pregnancy-related disorders, such as ectopic pregnancy, spontaneous abortion, hydatidiform mole, choriocarcinoma, or Trisomy 21. Further, determination of this marker is immensely helpful to guide curative intervention in testicular cancer. Other possible clinical uses includes as a marker of cancers of the bladder, pancreas, or biliary tract. (Scan J Clin Lab Invest Suppl 1993;216:97-104)