We assessed the expression levels of survivin mRNA in bladder transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) to provide additional information regarding its malignant potential. The real-time PCR method was used to detect the survivin mRNA level for 21 bladder tumor specimens, and for urinary exfoliated cells from 12 newly diagnosed bladder tumor patients. All bladder tumor specimens and 7 of 12 voided urine specimens expressed survivin mRNA. In tumor specimens, high grade, high stage tumors had the tendency to express more survivin mRNA. Of 12 superficial bladder tumor patients who had transurethral resection of bladder tumor (TURB), 3 showed high survivin mRNA expression and intravesical recurrence after the surgery. However, for the patients who had total cystectomy due to invasive tumor, no relations were observed between the survivin mRNA expression level and development of local recurrence and/or distant metastasis. Our results suggested that the quantitative analysis of the survivin mRNA may indicate local malignant potential, which contribute to the possibility of an intravesical recurrence.