Automatic Detection of Asymmetry in Skin Tumors

Abstract

Asymmetry, a critical feature in the diagnosis of malignant melanoma, is analyzed using a new algorithm to find a major axis of asymmetry and calculate the degree of asymmetry of the tumor outline. The algorithm provides a new objective definition of asymmetry. A dermatologist classified 86 tumors as symmetric or asymmetric. Borders of tumors were found either manually or automatically using a radial search method. With either method, asymmetry determination by the asymmetry algorithm agreed with the dermatologist's determination of asymmetry in about 93% of cases.

Department(s)

Chemistry

Second Department

Electrical and Computer Engineering

Sponsor(s)

National Science Foundation (U.S.). Small Business Innovation Research Program

Keywords and Phrases

Biomedical Engineering - Computer Aided Diagnosis; Computer Programming - Algorithms; Expert Systems - Knowledge Bases; Image Processing - Medical Applications; Dermatology; Malignant Melanoma; Skin Tumor Asymmetry; Biological Materials; Algorithm; Article; Cancer Classification; Cancer Diagnosis; Clinical Feature; Computer Graphics; Diagnostic Imaging; Image Analysis; Mathematical Analysis; Medical Technology; Melanoma; Morphology; Priority Journal; Skin Cancer; Skin Pigmentation; Diagnosis, Computer-Assisted; Human; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; Skin Neoplasms; Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.; Asymmetry; Computer Diagnosis; Skin Imaging; Symmetry Analysis

International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)

0895-6111; 1879-0771

Document Type

Article - Journal

Document Version

Citation

File Type

text

Language(s)

English

Rights

© 1992 Elsevier, All rights reserved.

Publication Date

01 May 1992

PubMed ID

1623494

Link to Full Text

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