The association between known prognostic variables and altered immunostaining for the nuclear proteins retinoblastoma (Rb) and p53 was studied in a homogeneous series of locally advanced bladder cancer. The predictive value of this immunostaining for the local response to intended radical radiotherapy was investigated. Among 262 patients treated with intended radical radiotherapy between 1967 and 1986, a total of 154 patients were evaluable with respect to local response to treatment. The paraffin-embedded specimen from the tumour prior to irradiation was immunostained with the monoclonal antibodies PMG3-245 for Rb and 1801 for p53 nuclear proteins after heating in a microwave oven for 40 min at 650 W. An altered expression of Rb and p53 was observed in 18 and 42% of the tumours, respectively. p53 overexpression was associated with higher tumour grade. However, the results of the p53 and Rb immunostaining procedures had no predictive value for tumor response to radiation treatment, local control or cancer-specific mortality.