Objective: Individual studies of the associations between P53 codon 72 polymorphism (rs1042522) and bladder cancer susceptibility have shown inconclusive results. To derive a more precise estimation of the relationship, we performed this systemic review and meta-analysis based on 15 publications. Methods: We used odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) to assess the strength of the association. Results: We found that there was no association between P53 codon 72 polymorphism and bladder cancer risk in the comparisons of Pro/Pro vs Arg/Arg; Pro/Arg vs. Arg/Arg; Pro/Pro plus Pro/Arg vs. Arg/Arg; Arg/Arg vs. Pro/Arg plus Arg/Arg (OR=1.06 95%CI 0.81-1.39; OR=1.06 95%CI 0.83-1.36; OR=0.98 95%CI 0.78-1.23; OR=1.06 95%CI 0.84-1.32). However, a significantly increased risk of bladder cancer was found among Asians in the homozygote comparison (Pro/Pro vs. Arg/Arg, OR=1.36 95%CI 1.05-1.75, P=0.790 for heterogeneity) and the dominant model (Arg/Pro plus Pro/Pro vs. Arg/Arg, OR=1.26 95%CI 1.05-1.52, P=0.564 for heterogeneity). In contrast, no evidence of an association between bladder cancer risk and P53 genotype was observed among Caucasian population in any genetic model. When stratifying for the stage of bladder, no statistical association were found (Pro/Pro vs. Arg/Arg, OR=0.45 95%CI 0.17-1.21; Pro/Arg vs. Arg/Arg, OR=0.60 95%CI 0.28-1.27; Dominant model, OR=0.56 95%CI 0.26-1.20; Recessive model, OR=0.62 95%CI0.35-1.08) between P53 codon 72 polymorphism and bladder cancer in all comparisons. Conclusions: Despite the limitations, the results of the present meta-analysis suggest that, in the P53 codon 72, Pro/Pro type and dominant mode might increase the susceptibility to bladder cancer in Asians; and there are no association between genotype distribution and the stage of bladder cancer.