laser interstitial thermal therapy
(LAY-zer IN-ter-STIH-shul THER-mul THAYR-uh-pee)
A type of treatment that uses heat created by a laser beam to remove or destroy abnormal tissue, such as cancer tissue. During laser interstitial thermal therapy, an imaging test, such as MRI, is used to help guide a wire or catheter (thin tube) into the abnormal area of tissue. A laser inserted through the catheter creates heat, which destroys the abnormal tissue. Laser interstitial thermal therapy may be used to treat certain types of brain tumors, including tumors that have spread to the brain from other parts of the body, radiation necrosis (tissue death caused by radiation therapy), and some types of epilepsy. Also called LITT.