Interstitial laser therapy is a procedure that is used to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia (a noncancerous enlargement of the prostate gland).  The therapy uses a cystoscope through a fiberoptic probe that is inserted into the prostate where it heats and destroys overgrown prostrate tissue.  Heat energy is usually conducted for about three minutes and the process can be repeated to treat another area in the same region of the prostrate.  The treatment requires local anesthesia and is typically performed as an outpatient procedure by an urologist.  Once the procedure is complete, most patients will need to wear and manage a catheter while recuperating at home until bladder functions return to normal.