Two hundred and fourteen bladder carcinomas were evaluated retrospectively after reclassification of histological specimens according to UICC. Follow-up time was 7 years or longer. Large size but not multiplicity of the primary tumour indicated a poor prognosis. Local infiltration, even if superficial and restricted to the lamina propria, worsened prognosis as well as high grade of the tumour. Late deaths in the present series were generally explained by a progression in stage in patients with high grade tumours at initial assessment. Therefore a close longterm follow-up should be performed in these patients.