You want to be clear about the grade if the stage is T1.
This review gives the whole picture about path reports:
blcwebcafe.org/padova1.asp#path
It also discusses the usefulness of substaging T1 tumors into T1a,b or c.
Most important is that the pathology specimen contained muscle tissue. As stated in "Review Pathology: why it is critical", "T1 tumors are downstaged to Ta between 35-53% of cases, while between 3 and 10% of them a T2 or higher is considered."
There can be discrepency between pathologists because it's a subjective field, that's why experience really counts.
Sometimes one tumor can have high grade components, or there may be aggressive cellular changes in the bladder lining but no tumor that can be seen (CIS).
blcwebcafe.org/synergoworkshop1.asp#vecchio
The above link is a review of a presentation that discusses the limitations of pathology and how best to get an accurate diagnosis, "Papillary tumors may show heterogeneity (dissimilarites) of grade. It remains to be defined what percentage (if any) is minimally needed to place tumors in a higher category when the highest grade is focal."
It's pretty common for those with T1 tumors to be given a follow up TUR a few weeks after the first, but not as common if it is low grade. As far as whether treatment is needed, it depends on where you go and who you talk to, as well as patient preference. Some doctors complain that they are forced to overtreat people who had low grade tumors removed because of patient anxiety and the desire to feel they are actively doing something to fight the cancer recurring, as opposed to watching and waiting. Over-treating is just as big an issue as under-treating.
BCG is very effective at reducing recurrence in high grade tumors, but less effective in low grade tumors. Intravesical chemo has been shown to delay recurrence, but the benefit wears off in two years. Both treatments have side effects and risks, long and short term.
The best case scenario for you would be that you have no residual tumor at the follow up, it's been shown that most recurs come in the first year. Sometimes bladder tumors just stop coming, it really happens. I hope you're one of those!
Wendy
PS Here's a more patient friendly description of what is needed in a path report for bladder cancer:
www.bccancer.bc.ca/HPI/CancerManagementGuidelines/Genitourinary/Bladder/Diagnosis.htm