DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Histologically confirmed unifocal or multifocal transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder no greater than 5 cm, with evidence of muscle invasion documented by transurethral resection of the bladder (TURB), with no residual visible or palpable tumor mass at the end of TURB Stage II or III (T2-T3, N0, M0) No squamous cell or adenocarcinoma No evidence of pelvic lymph node involvement by CT scan or MRI No evidence of hydronephrosis No evidence of distant metastases No disease in the prostatic urethra