Just got back from my TURBT Pre-Op with the Surgeon. All questions answered, but one answer caught me off-guard.
From everything I've read, the long wait is the post-TURBT pathology report to signify - is it cancer, what is the stage, and grade.
I specifically asked the Dr. "we won't know it's cancer till the pathology report?", and her response was - "It is Cancer just a matter of Stage and Grade". I had all my questions printed up and gave her a copy, and she marked comments on my paper. The below list of staging was printed on my questions paper. She jumped right over T0 and commented that "most likely" I will fall into Ta/Tis/T1, but yes, without the TURBT and pathology, they won't know exactly how deep and grade.
Staging
i. T0: No evidence of cancer
ii. Ta: A non-invasive papillary (finger-like) tumor
iii. Tis: A non-invasive flat carcinoma (carcinoma in situ)
iv. T1: Infiltration of the lamina propria
v. T2A: Infiltration of the inner muscle
vi. T2b: Infiltration of the deep muscle
vii. T3: Extending beyond the bladder wall
viii. T4a: Involving the prostate gland or seminal vesicles
ix. T4b: Involving the pelvic wall or abdominal wall