You are absolutely on the right track! Your father should have received a copy of the pathology report (he paid for it). It mayhave said that lamina propria was present in the biopsy specimen. Lot of times they don't get enough tissue in the sample for a complete diagnosis, but if it was included this is good.
Johns Hopkins is a great choice for a second opinion.
Good luck to you all
Sara Anne
Diagnosis 2-08 Small papillary TCC; CIS
BCG; BCG maintenance
Vice-President, American Bladder Cancer Society
Forum Moderator
My dad had a TCC tumor in his ureter. Ureter and kidney were removed.
The doctor waved the biopsy report and said "it's pretty good news".
Me:"Is it invasive?" Dr: "Non-invasive"
Me:"Is it Ta and not T1?" Dr: "Yes.. Ta. Low grade."
The doctor then quickly showed me the text of the biopsy report. I did notice the report said something about lamina propria being involved in some way. I asked if that makes this a T1.
He said "technically yes but.." followed by words I didn't understand followed by and so we are all good.
Can someone shed some light on this? If a tumor involves the lamina propria in any way at all, does it mean it is invasive and/or T1? Does having removed the ureter+kidney (and not finding any lymph node enlargement during open abdomen surgery) reduce this back to Ta?
PS: I have asked for the pathology slides and report to get a second opinion at Johns Hopkins and/or Cleveland clinic / any other place you might recommend.
