The use of local thermal effect in the tumor region forms the basis for this new minimal- invasive therapeutic procedure. Since the development of MRI-guided laser-induced Interstitial ThermoTherapy (LITT), it is possible to target the laser exactly on the tissue volume to be treated. Due to comparably high penetrability of photons and the possibility of complication-free transfer of energy through guide-light, Laser of Near Infrared Region (NIR) is used for LITT. Above all we use the Nd:YAG-Laser (1,064 nm), which has a wide clinical use.

The energy is applied to the target tissue using special laser applicators. The energy of laser light is absorbed, which causes heating of the tissue. The heat causes coagulation (destruction) of tumor tissue and the edge around it. In order to make the advantages of the effect and accuracy of the therapy useful, all the factors contributing to the success of therapy must co-ordinate with one another. For this, it is necessary to calculate the exact duration and output of the laser. Therefore under certain circumstances more laser applicators and more cycles of therapy, may be required depending on size, number and location of the lesion to be treated. These parameters are adapted individually according to the illness. In practice a temperature of about 60 to 110° C is achieved in the tumor tissue. This differentiates LITT from the classical hyperthermia.
It is scientifically proven that local resection or destruction of liver metastases prolongs the life of patients.