A method and apparatus wherein an application of energy is limited to a
specific diseased portion of body tissue (target tissue) for the purpose
of localizing the treatment to the target tissue and avoiding an adverse
effect on surrounding tissue. In one embodiment, access to the target
tissue is provided by inserting an energy transmission device through a
needle for delivery of the energy into the target tissue. Guidance of the
needle is alternatively enhanced through use of an image guidance device.
Alternatively, in addition the localized treatment is further controlled
by use of an energy-concentrating/enhancement agent and/or
photosensitizing/photoselective agent, chromophore dye and viscous
substance to cause selective interaction with a specific wavelength of an
energy source. The treatment can be further controlled and localized by
improving the accuracy and positioning of the delivery device into the
target tissue using imaging guidance.