A Fuzzy-C-means clustering algorithm for a volumetric analysis of paranasal sinus and nasal cavity cancers

In this paper, a semi-automatic segmentation algorithm for volumetric analysis of paranasal sinus and nasal cavity cancers is presented and validated. The algorithm, based on a semi-supervised Fuzzy-C-means method, was applied to a Magnetic Resonance data sets (each of them composed by T1-weighted, Contrast Enhanced T1-weighted and T2-weighted images) for a total of 64 tumor-contained slices. Method performances are tested by both a numerical and a clinical validation. Results show that the proposed method has a higher accuracy in quantifying lesion area than a region growing algorithm and it can be applied in the evaluation of tumor response to therapy.