Dana, "Aggressive" and "non-invasive" are talking about two totally separate things.
First, there are several different "kinds" of bladder cancer. Some are very slow growing and might just sit around causing minor problems for years without spreading. These are considered "non-aggressive." Then there are some that have the potential to spread rapidly. These can advance into the lymph nodes, the kidneys, and elsewhere in the body. These are called "aggressive" and include CIS (carcinoma in situ) and some of the papillary tumors. When the sample of the tumor is sent to the pathologist, he can determine by looking at the cells of the tumor if it is aggressive or not.
"Invasive" refers to how far the tumor has progressed AT THE PRESENT TIME. If you are fortunate, an aggressive tumor can be found early, while it is still non-invasive. If it had not been found for another year, for example, it might have become invasive.
Your husband is extremely lucky to have been diagnosed while his tumor was still non-invasive. But, since it apparently is an aggressive type of cancer, it is important to keep on top o9f it. It sounds as if your urologist is doing the right things. A second TURB helps to be sure that the diagnosis is correct. And it also appears that the urologist is going to have your husband treated with BCG. There is a lot of information on BCG elsewhere on this web-site.
One thing about bladder cancer is that it has a tendency to return. BCG treatment is one way to try to keep it from coming back.
Keep asking your questions and, in a little while, you will be an expert!!! Remember that all of us started out right where you are.
Sara Anne
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