Depending on the amount of tissue that is removed as well as other factors, the procedure is either done on an outpatient basis or with a short hospital stay. The tissue that is removed is examined by the pathologist under the microscope. The stage is an indication as to where the tumor was physically located. Superficial tumors involve only the lining of the bladder. In other words, a tumor sprouted up out of the flat surface of the bladder into the cavity of the bladder.
Invasive tumors are more dangerous.
By definition, an invasive tumor is growing into the layers of the wall of the bladder rather than sprouting up into the interior of the bladder cavity. Tumors growing into the layers of the wall of the bladder are more dangerous because cells can break off and spread to distant organs. The pathologist also provides a tumor grade. This is simply an estimate of the speed of growth of the tumor based on what the cells look like under the microscope. The urologist and the patient then discuss the pathology findings from the transurethral resection of the bladder tumor taking into account the stage and grade of the tumor.