Several studies have shown that the presence of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) in bladder cancer is associated with high tumour stage and grade and is a strong independent predictor of tumour stage progression and poor long-term survival (Neal et al, 1985, 1990; Lipponen and Eskelinen, 1994; Mellon et al, 1995). This evidence concerns the gene EGFR and urinary bladder cancer.