Objective To evaluate the value of 99Tcm-Octreotide somatostatin receptor and 99Tcm-MIBI imaging in the detection of breast cancer. Methods 99Tcm-Octreotide and 99Tcm-MIBI imaging were performed in 26 patients with breast masses before operation. The scintigraphy results were analysed compared with pathologic study. Results The sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of 99Tcm-Octreotide scintigraphy for breast cancer were 94.4%, 87.5% and 92.3% respectively and those of 99Tcm-MIBI were 88.9%, 75.0% and 84.6% respectively. Significant difference was found between 99Tcm-Octreotide and 99Tcm-MIBI in both of specificity and accuracy (P＜0.05 and P＜0.01). The sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of 99Tcm-Octreotide scintigraphy in the detection of axillary lymph node involvement were 66.7%, 92.9% and 80.8% respectively. Those of 99Tcm-MIBI were 58.3%, 85.7% and 73.1% respectively. The specificity showed significant difference between 99Tcm-Octreotide and 99Tcm-MIBI (P＜0.01). Conclusion 99Tcm-Octreotide somatostatin receptor imaging may be superior to 99Tcm-MIBI in the detection of primary breast cancer and axillary lymph node involvement, and 99Tcm-Octreotide scintigraphy before operation is helpful in working out operative modality for patients.