The surgery that they will be doing to remove the tumor IS the biopsy procedure. It is called a TURB (transurethral resection of the bladder.) During this procedure, the tumor(s) will be removed and sent to a pathologist who will determine IF it is really bladder cancer, what kind it is (most are transitional cell carcinoma), whether it is low grade
(slowly growing) or high grade (rapidly growing) and whether or not it is still confined to the bladder lining. Sometimes, when it is low grade and localized this is the only procedure necessary. In other instances the results of the path report will indicate which direction the treatment will take.
ONLY AFTER THE PATH REPORT IS BACK will the urologist really know what the situation is. BTW, your father will want to ask for a copy of this report for his record. After the TURB the urologist will know a little better what he is dealing with, but not for absolute sure until he has the path report. Sometimes that path report indicates that there are areas of uncertainty and a second TURB will be scheduled.
Hope that this answers some of your questions.
Sara Anne