Purpose  To investigate the association between two Xeroderma pigmentosum group C polymorphism (XPC Lys939Gln and insertion/deletion PAT −/+ in intron 9) and bladder cancer (BC) susceptibility.

Materials and methods  Genotyping was performed in 208 BC patients and 245 controls by PCR–RFLP method.

Results   XPC PAT +/+ genotype was associated with elevated risk of BC (p = 0.021, OR = 2.49). XPC Lys939Gln AC + CC genotype was significantly associated with risk in invasive stage of BC (p = 0.041, OR = 2.52). Haplotype analysis revealed that variant genotypes C of XPC Lys939Gln and + of PAT, C+ were significantly associated with risk of BC (p = 0.004, OR = 1.70). The CC genotype of Lys939Gln was associated with high risk for recurrence in BCG-treated patients (HR = 3.21, p = 0.036) thus, showing reduced recurrence-free survival (AC + CC/AA = 36/60 months; log rank p = 0.045).

Conclusion  Polymorphisms and haplotypes in XPC appear to influence susceptibility to BC risk. The variant C allele at Lys939Gln may be responsible for early recurrence in BCG-treated patients.