High-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) is a new totally noninvasive treatment of liver neoplasms allowing for selective ablation of the neoplastic tissue. It was first described in the 1920s but attracted more attention only in the 1990s when the possibility of high-quality three-dimensional monitoring substantially improved efficiency of diagnostic ultrasound scanning and magnetic resonance imaging. Numerous experimental and clinical studies demonstrated the safety of the method and its applicability to the treatment of oncological patients. This review highlightens the principles of HIFU, describes the equipment for HIFU and the current state of investigations with the use of this technique with special reference to hepatic tumours. Prospects for the further development of HIFU are outlined.