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Immunoassay reagents intended to perform qualitative and/or quantitative analyses on a body fluid sample (e.g., blood) to determine human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), a hormone normally secreted by the placenta, as a tumor marker. The highest levels of hCG are caused by trophoblastic tumors; high levels of hCG are also found in germ cell tumors (e.g., nonseminomatous testicular carcinoma). The levels of hCG are mostly useful in monitoring the progress of trophoblastic tumors; its presence in cerebrospinal fluid may indicate brain metastasis. Elevated levels of hCG are normal during pregnancy.
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