Adversarial-Learning-Based Taguchi Convolutional Fuzzy Neural Classifier for Images of Lung Cancer

Abstract

Deep learning technology has extensive application in the classification and recognition of medical images. However, several challenges persist in such application, such as the need for acquiring large-scale labeled data, configuring network parameters, and handling excessive network parameters. To address these challenges, in this study, we developed an adversarial-learning-based Taguchi convolutional fuzzy neural classifier (AL-TCFNC) for classifying malignant and benign lung tumors displayed in computed tomography images. In the framework of the developed AL-TCFNC, a fuzzy neural classifier replaces a conventional fully connected network, thereby reducing the number of network parameters and the training duration. To reduce experimental cost and training time, the Taguchi method was used. This method helps to identify the optimal combination of model parameters through a small number of experiments. The transfer learning of models across databases often results in subpar performance because of the paucity of labeled samples. To resolve this problem, we used a combination of maximum mean discrepancy and cross-entropy for adversarial learning with the proposed model. Two data sets, namely the SPIE–AAPM Lung CT Challenge data set and LIDC–IDRI Lung Imaging Research data set, were used to validate the AL-TCFNC model. When the AL-TCFNC model was used for transfer learning, it exhibited an accuracy rate of 89.55% and outperformed other deep learning models in terms of classification performance.

Keywords

• Lung cancer
• computed tomography (CT)
• adversarial learning
• convolutional neural network (CNN)
• fuzzy neural network
• Taguchi method