High-intensity focused ultrasound in the treatment of solid tumours.

Traditionally, surgery has been the only cure for many solid tumours. Technological advances have catalysed a shift from open surgery towards less invasive techniques. Laparoscopic surgery and minimally invasive techniques continue to evolve, but for decades high-intensity focused ultrasound has promised to deliver the ultimate objective - truly non-invasive tumour ablation. Only now, however, with recent improvements in imaging, has this objective finally emerged as a real clinical possibility.