Objective: Human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) has been reported as poor prognostic marker in several cancers. In the present study, we examined hTERT expression in urothelial carcinoma (UC) to investigate whether it has a role on the carcinogenesis or prognosis. Method: Immunohistochemistry was performed to detect hTERT protein expression in tisse microarray blocks consisting of cores of papillary UC (n = 63) and infiltrating UC (n = 13) cases. Nucleolar staining was considered and staining scores (intensity × distribution) were determined. Tumors were grouped as low or high in terms of histological grade, and as early (Ta, T1), or late stage (T2-T4) in terms of pathological stage. Results: hTERT expression was significantly higher in the papillary UC group (p=0.028). Tumors in late stage were more likely to show low staining scores of hTERT (p= 0.013). No correlation was found with tumor grade and recurrence rate. No effect on survival.was detected. Conclusion: These findings indicated an association of hTERT protein with early stage UCs as its expression significantly decreased with muscularis propria invasion.