Abstract: Objective : To evaluate the efficacy and safety of intravesical instillation of pirarubicin (THP) for preventing postoperative recurrence of superficial bladder cancer. Methods Patients with superficial transitional cell bladder cancer who were suitable for inclusion criteria were enrolled in this study. THP (30 mg/50 ml of normal saline) was instilled intravesically within two weeks after operation once a week for eight weeks, followed by oncea month till one year. Regular cystoscopy was performed for the follow-up. Results : All the patients were followed up for an average time of 12.2±5.74 months. Tumor recurrence was found in 22 cases and the total recurrence rate was 16.7%. There was a significant difference in the recurrence rate between primary and recurring tumor (P=0.003), but no difference of recurrence rate was found between different tumor grades, tumor staging and tumor number. Urinary irritation and abnormal urine analysis were the predominant adverse reactions. Conclusion : Intravesical administration of THP after operation was effective and well-tolerated for preventing tumor recurrence.