The aim of the study was to measure concentrations of selected essential elements (Zn, Cu, Se) in renal cortex and neoplastic tissue as well as their excretion in urine in subjects with diagnosed renal neoplasm. The study was performed in three groups: the investigated group (subjects with diagnosed renal neoplasm, who underwent single nephrectomy), the control group in vivo (healthy subjects), the control group post mortem (dead subjects). The levels of the tested elements in renal cortex in subjects with renal neoplasm did not differ basically from the levels observed in the control group post mortem, however they were significantly higher in renal cortex than in neoplastic tissue. This is particularly related to Zn, which is known to cumulate in renal cortex. In subjects with renal neoplasm increased excretion in urine of nearly all the tested elements was observed before nephrectomy. This phenomenon is most pronounced for whole protein and copper.