Most men over the age of 60 have non-cancerous growth of the prostate gland. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence says many of these, if they are having symptoms, could have the new therapy rather than conventional surgery.

The standard care currently is to cut away the tissue using a thin, hot loop of wire (TURP). While TURP is effective, experts say the new laser treatment could be more convenient for patients. The treatment delivers a beam of green light to vaporise overgrown tissue. Unlike TURP, it can be done as a day procedure.

For the laser treatment, a thin length of laser fibre is passed up the urethra until it reaches the target – the prostate gland. The laser is then turned on to blast the tissue. This should reverse any blockages and alleviate the patient’s symptoms.

Higher risk men with very large prostates or severe symptoms, however, should still be treated routinely with a different type of laser.