Enhancing Skin Cancer Classification using Efficient Net B0-B7 through Convolutional Neural Networks and Transfer Learning with Patient-Specific Data.

backgroundSkin cancer diagnosis challenges dermatologists due to its complex visual variations across diagnostic categories. Convolutional neural networks (CNNs), specifically the Efficient Net B0-B7 series, have shown superiority in multiclass skin cancer classification. This study addresses the limitations of visual examination by presenting a tailored preprocessing pipeline designed for Efficient Net models. Leveraging transfer learning with pre-trained ImageNet weights, the research aims to enhance diagnostic accuracy in an imbalanced multiclass classification context.

methodsThe study develops a specialized image preprocessing pipeline involving image scaling, dataset augmentation, and artifact removal tailored to the nuances of Efficient Net models. Using the Efficient Net B0-B7 dataset, transfer learning fine-tunes CNNs with pre-trained ImageNet weights. Rigorous evaluation employs key metrics like Precision, Recall, Accuracy, F1 Score, and Confusion Matrices to assess the impact of transfer learning and fine-tuning on each Efficient Net variant's performance in classifying diverse skin cancer categories.

resultsThe research showcases the effectiveness of the tailored preprocessing pipeline for Efficient Net models. Transfer learning and fine-tuning significantly enhance the models' ability to discern diverse skin cancer categories. The evaluation of eight Efficient Net models (B0-B7) for skin cancer classification reveals distinct performance patterns across various cancer classes. While the majority class, Benign Kertosis, achieves high accuracy (>87%), challenges arise in accurately classifying Eczema classes. Melanoma, despite its minority representation (2.42% of images), attains an average accuracy of 80.51% across all models. However, suboptimal performance is observed in predicting warts molluscum (90.7%) and psoriasis (84.2%) instances, highlighting the need for targeted improvements in accurately identifying specific skin cancer types.

conclusionThe study on skin cancer classification utilizes EfficientNets B0-B7 with transfer learning from ImageNet weights. The pinnacle performance is observed with EfficientNet-B7, achieving a groundbreaking top-1 accuracy of 84.4% and top-5 accuracy of 97.1%. Remarkably efficient, it is 8.4 times smaller than the leading CNN. Detailed per-class classification exactitudes through Confusion Matrices affirm its proficiency, signaling the potential of EfficientNets for precise dermatological image analysis.