Early detection of tumors is a major determinant of survival of patients suffering from tumors, including bladder tumors. Members of the BTM or UBTM family can be highly and consistently accumulated in bladder tumor tissue and other tumor tissue, and/or can be accumulated in urine of patients, and thus are markers for bladder and other types of cancer. In certain embodiments, BTMs or UBTMs can accumulate in the urine, and detection of UBTM family members can be an effective diagnostic approach. In some embodiments, quantitative PCR methods have advantages over microarray methods. In other embodiments, detection and quantification of a plurality of BTMs or UBTMs can increase the sensitivity and specificity of detection of bladder cancer, and therefore provides methods for determining the stage and type of bladder cancer. Kits provide easy, convenient ways for carrying out the methods of this invention.