Skin lesion classification with machine learning

Abstract

Skin lesions are the part of the skin that has an abnormal structure and appearance compared to the surrounding areas. While some skin lesions cause only a physically bad appearance, some may have cancer features. Nowadays, skin cancer is one of the most extensive cancers among humans. Therefore, the correct detection of cancerous lesions is of great importance in the treatment of skin cancer. Skin cancers are basically divided into two main types, melanoma which is dangerous, and non-melanoma. The low contrast between the lesioned and non-lesion areas in the images of melanoma skin cancers requires expertise in the application of diagnostic methods and involves relativity among dermatologists. In addition, it is very difficult to automatically analyze human skin due to geographical and climatic effects, roughness, tonal diversity, hair and many other complex structures, and low contrast problem. However, a successful automatic analysis system to be created will help dermatologists to diagnose and speed up the process. Technology advancements have made it possible for doctors to diagnose skin cancer from dermatoscopic images using computer-aided diagnosis techniques, such as deep learning and machine learning models. In this study, image processing and machine learning techniques were used to classify skin lesions. In image processing, different mathematical algorithms have been applied to increase image quality. After an image preprocessing stage, which includes filtering the unwanted pixels in the images, image segmentation was performed using the watershed method and the lesioned regions were separated. Then, based on the ABCDT rule, feature extraction was performed with the lesions, asymmetry, border irregularity, color, diameter, and texture analysis. Texture analysis was performed based on Haralick texture properties. Finally, classification was performed with softmax regression, k-nearest neighbor (KNN), and support vector machines (SVM) algorithm. Standard performance measures called accuracy, precision, recall, and F1-score values are used to evaluate the results of the methods used for classification. When the results obtained from the classifiers are compared, it has been observed that the accuracy of the SVM classifier is higher than the softmax regression and k-nearest neighbor (KNN) algorithm. Keywords: Skin lesion, skin cancer, image processing, ABCDT analysis, machine learning, support vector machine algorithm, softmax regression, k-nearest neighbor algorithm.