Recently the presence of somatostatin receptors on human renal cell carcinomas has been demonstrated by autoradiographic techniques on surgically removed kidneys. In a prospective study we evaluated, by means of 111In-labelled octreotide scintigraphy, the in vivo tumour imaging in a group of patients with biopsy proven renal cell carcinomas at different tumour stages. Seven patients were studied. In three of them (43%) pathological tracer accumulation was demonstrated. In these patients 20 out of 23 known tumour localizations were clearly visualized. Tracer uptake could be inhibited by prior administration of cold octreotide. We conclude that 111In-octreotide scintigraphy can be used to demonstrate, in vivo, metastatic renal cell carcinoma.