Welcome to our Forum. I know that you are a bit bewildered with the thought of possible bladder cancer as well as all the unfamiliar terminology! We have all been where you are now!
I am a little confused. You say that the biopsy was Monday and you will get the pathology report on Friday...yet you also say that it is stage 3? How do you know this?
Usually the biopsy samples, when examined by the pathologist, determine a. whether indeed bladder cancer is present or not and b. the grade and stage if it is malignant. That is why I didn't quite understand how you knew it was state 3 already.
As for questions for the urologist, first IS it indeed cancer, and what kind is it? The most common kind of bladder cancer is urethelial (arising from the urethelial cells in the bladder lining) but there are other, rarer types. The type determines the type of treatment the doctor will suggest. Second, what is the grade and stage. This determines if it has progressed beyond the bladder lining as well as whether it is slow growing (low grade) or fast growing (high grade.) Finally, of course, if it is cancer, you will want to discuss the "where do we go from here" questions. What types of treatment, if any, are recommended and what does he expect the prognosis to be?
I am sure that others will want to chime in with their question suggestions also.
Good luck to you both and please keep us informed about your progress. And if you have other questions, please just ask....
Sara Anne
Topic Author