Understanding Stage 3 Bladder Cancer: What Does Lymphatic Space Permeation Mean?

Question
My father is 75 and we just found out he has bladder cancer.  He has a huge tumor in his bladder and they said it was stage 3 cancer.  We are waiting for a cat scan to see if it has spread.  I want to quote you part of the lab report and then ask a question.
"High Grade (grade 3) transitional cell carcinoma, invasive into muscularis propria, with focal micropapillary pattern Foci highly suspicious for lymphatic space permeation identified"

On that last part, does that mean they feel it is likely the cancer has spread into the lymphatic system?  I know we will find out with the cat scan, but can you tell me what that sentence means?

Thanks so much!

Answer
It sounds like it has spread into the surrounding tissue, which would make a surgical cure very difficult... it will mean that he would need add'l therapy, ie chemo and/or radiation..  But you are right, that means that it prob has spread through the lymph vessel system.