Beta‑hCG tests measure the beta subunit of human chorionic gonadotropin (β‑hCG), a hormone normally produced by placental trophoblasts in pregnancy but also produced ectopically by certain tumors. In oncology, elevated β‑hCG is a tumor marker most classically seen with gestational trophoblastic neoplasia and germ cell tumors (testicular and ovarian), and it can be produced by some non‑germ‑cell malignancies (eg, certain lung, gastrointestinal, and bladder cancers).

Clinically, β‑hCG is used for diagnosis, staging and risk stratification, and for monitoring treatment response and detecting recurrence; falling levels usually indicate effective therapy while rising or persistent levels suggest residual or progressive disease. Results must be interpreted with clinical and imaging data because low or spurious elevations can occur (pregnancy, pituitary production in postmenopausal women, heterophile antibody interference or assay cross‑reactivity), so confirmatory testing and specialist evaluation are often needed.

For Beta‑hCG testing as a cancer marker the sample is usually a venous blood draw: a trained phlebotomist takes a small tube of blood, the lab separates the serum and runs a quantitative assay that reports a numerical value (commonly in mIU/mL).

Some rapid or home pregnancy tests use urine, but for oncology monitoring serum (blood) is preferred because it’s more sensitive and consistent. No special preparation or fasting is typically required—follow any instructions from the clinic or lab—and the sample should be collected, labeled and handled by clinical staff to avoid hemolysis or contamination that can affect results.

A quantitative Beta-hCG (β-hCG) test can sometimes indicate the presence of tumors that produce hCG—most classically gestational trophoblastic disease and choriocarcinoma, and certain germ cell tumors of the testes or ovaries; some non‑germ cell cancers (rarely) may also secrete hCG. Very high levels or a persistently rising trend are more suggestive of tumor activity than a single mildly elevated result.

However, β-hCG is not specific for cancer: pregnancy, recent miscarriage or molar pregnancy, pituitary hCG (especially in peri/postmenopausal people), certain medications, and assay interference (false positives from antibodies or differences in which hCG isoforms an assay detects) can all change results. A single β-hCG result cannot diagnose or rule out cancer—physicians use quantitative values, serial measurements, imaging, and biopsy plus clinical context to interpret risk—so discuss your exact numbers and next steps with your healthcare provider.

Beta‑hCG can be a useful tumor marker for specific cancers—most notably gestational trophoblastic disease and many germ‑cell tumors—and for monitoring treatment response because rising or falling levels reflect disease burden. However, its accuracy varies widely by tumor type and assay: some tumors secrete intact hCG, others mainly the free β‑subunit, and different laboratory methods detect these forms with different sensitivity, so a single hCG result is neither perfectly sensitive nor specific for cancer.

False positives occur (pregnancy, pituitary hCG in older patients, assay interference such as heterophile antibodies) and false negatives can occur when tumors produce forms not measured by the test or when levels are below assay detection. For these reasons β‑hCG should not be used alone to diagnose cancer; clinicians interpret it together with clinical findings, imaging, histology and other tumor markers (e.g., AFP, LDH), and may repeat testing with a different assay if results are unexpected.

How often you should test beta‑hCG as a cancer marker depends on the cancer type, stage, and where you are in treatment: obtain a baseline before treatment, measure frequently during active therapy to track response (often weekly to every few weeks for rapidly changing disease), and then shift to surveillance testing after treatment.

Common practice is more intensive checks in the first year (for example every 1–3 months), spacing to every 3–6 months in year two and less frequently thereafter, but specific intervals — and special rules for tumors like choriocarcinoma or germ‑cell tumors (often continue monthly checks for several months after remission) — vary by protocol. Always follow your oncologist’s recommended schedule and local guidelines.

No — Beta-hCG test results highlight patterns of imbalance or resilience, not medical diagnoses; an isolated abnormal hCG can suggest an issue or prompt further evaluation but does not by itself establish cancer or any specific disease.

Results must be interpreted alongside symptoms, medical history, imaging and other laboratory or biomarker data by a qualified clinician, who will integrate the full clinical picture and order additional testing or referrals as needed.

Beta‑hCG is a marker — not a problem itself — so the only reliable way to “improve” (i.e., lower or normalize) an abnormal result is to address the underlying cause (pregnancy, hCG‑producing tumor, or assay interference). Practical first steps are to confirm the result with a repeat quantitative test (and a urine hCG if pregnancy is possible) and ask the lab about assay interference (heterophile antibodies or “phantom” hCG). Your clinician will then investigate the cause (imaging and additional tumor markers if cancer is suspected) and recommend definitive treatment (surgery, chemotherapy, or other therapies when appropriate), which is what typically causes marker levels to fall; lifestyle changes or supplements do not reliably change tumor markers.

If your beta‑hCG is abnormal, see an oncologist or the appropriate specialist promptly for directed evaluation and a clear follow‑up plan; rising levels or new symptoms warrant urgent assessment. This information is general and not a substitute for personalized medical advice — follow the recommendations of your treating team.