DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Histologically proven transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder No muscle invasive bladder cancer, transitional cell carcinoma of the upper tract, or disease within the prostatic stroma No prior evidence of metastatic transitional cell carcinoma Prior definitive resection by partial cystectomy, nephroureterectomy, or prostatectomy allowed if current disease is limited to superficial disease of the bladder only No evidence of gross hematuria within the past 2 days