Objective:To establish an orthotopic bladder cancer model bearing human bladder cancer for experimental research, and monitor tumor progression by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Methods: The mucosa was mechanically damaged transurethrally under direct vision, and then human bladder cancer cell line T24 was inoculated into the bladders of BALB/c nude mice to establish orthotopic bladder cancer model. To find a suitable concentration of Gd-DTPA for this research. MRI was performed weekly to assess tumor growth, using Gd-DTPA as contrast agent. The pathologic morphology of the bladders and other specimens were observed with HE stain. Results: All the 25 mice developed bladder cancer after inoculation. The best concentration of Gd-DTPAwas 1.408 mg/mL. On MRI, no change in the bladders was observed on day 7 after inoculation, filling defect in the bladders, accordant to actual tumor size, was detected on days 14, 21 and 28. Pathologic examination showed that tumor grew in the mucosa or superficial muscle of bladder on day 7, confined in muscle layer on days 14-28, and invaded serosa on day 35. Conclusion: Transurethrally damaged bladder mucosa under direct vision and instilled bladder cancer cell T24, we successfully established an orthotopic bladder cancer model. Tumor growth simulated the progression of human bladder cancer approximately. MRI was a reliable way for dynamic detection of murine orthotopic bladder tumor.