CT scan pancreatic cancer segmentation and classification using deep learning and the tunicate swarm algorithm

Pancreatic cancer (PC) is a very lethal disease with a low survival rate, making timely and accurate diagnoses critical for successful treatment. PC classification in computed tomography (CT) scans is a vital task that aims to accurately discriminate between tumorous and non-tumorous pancreatic tissues. CT images provide detailed cross-sectional images of the pancreas, which allows oncologists and radiologists to analyse the characteristics and morphology of the tissue. Machine learning (ML) approaches, together with deep learning (DL) algorithms, are commonly explored to improve and automate the performance of PC classification in CT scans. DL algorithms, particularly convolutional neural networks (CNNs), are broadly utilized for medical image analysis tasks, involving segmentation and classification. This study explores the design of a tunicate swarm algorithm with deep learning-based pancreatic cancer segmentation and classification (TSADL-PCSC) technique on CT scans. The purpose of the TSADL-PCSC technique is to design an effectual and accurate model to improve the diagnostic performance of PC. To accomplish this, the TSADL-PCSC technique employs a W-Net segmentation approach to define the affected region on the CT scans. In addition, the TSADL-PCSC technique utilizes the GhostNet feature extractor to create a group of feature vectors. For PC classification, the deep echo state network (DESN) model is applied in this study. Finally, the hyperparameter tuning of the DESN approach occurs utilizing the TSA which assists in attaining improved classification performance. The experimental outcome of the TSADL-PCSC method was tested on a benchmark CT scan database. The obtained outcomes highlighted the significance of the TSADL-PCSC technique over other approaches to PC classification.