We reviewed the clinical courses of 86 men after radical cystoprostatectomy for transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder to determine who were at highest risk for urethral recurrence. We assessed patients for prostatic involvement as well as tumor extent in the bladder and distal ureters. Of the 30 patients with tumor in the prostate 11 (37%) suffered urethral recurrences. Of the 56 patients with all other types of tumor involvement patterns exclusive of disease in the prostate only 2 (4%) had recurrence. We recommend rigorous screening for transitional cell carcinoma of the prostate before cystectomy. Prophylactic urethrectomy is indicated for patients with prostatic involvement, while those without such involvement may be considered at low risk for urethral recurrence.