Kidney Tumor Detection and Classification Based on Deep Learning Approaches: A New Dataset in CT Scans

Dalia Alzu'bi1, Malak Abdullah1, Ismail Hmeidi1

  • 1Department of Computer Information Systems, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid 2210, Jordan.

Insights

Deep learning models accurately detect kidney tumors (KTs) in CT scans, improving early diagnosis and reducing radiologist workload. These advanced algorithms offer a faster, more precise alternative to traditional methods for identifying this common cancer.

Area of Science:

  • Medical Imaging
  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Oncology

Background:

  • Kidney tumor (KT) is a prevalent global cancer, ranking seventh in incidence worldwide.
  • Early detection of KTs significantly improves patient outcomes, reduces mortality, and enables effective preventive strategies.
  • Traditional KT diagnosis is time-consuming and labor-intensive, highlighting the need for advanced diagnostic tools.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To develop and evaluate deep learning (DL) models for the automatic detection and classification of kidney tumors in computed tomography (CT) scans.
  • To assess the performance of novel 2D-CNN models against established architectures for KT diagnosis.
  • To introduce a new, comprehensive dataset of kidney CT scans for research and development in KT detection.

Main Methods:

  • Proposed three 2D-CNN models for KT detection: CNN-6, ResNet50, and VGG16.
  • Developed a 2D-CNN model (CNN-4) specifically for KT classification.
  • Utilized a novel dataset comprising 8,400 CT images from 120 patients with suspected kidney masses, split into 80% training and 20% testing sets.

Main Results:

  • The CNN-6 model achieved 97% accuracy for KT detection.
  • ResNet50 demonstrated 96% accuracy in KT detection.
  • The CNN-4 model reached 92% accuracy for KT classification.

Conclusions:

  • The developed DL models show high accuracy in detecting and classifying kidney tumors, offering a significant advancement over traditional methods.
  • These models can reduce radiologist workload, minimize misdiagnosis risk, and enhance the overall quality of healthcare services.
  • Early detection facilitated by these AI tools has the potential to alter disease trajectories and save patient lives.