Automation of an algorithm based on fuzzy clustering for analyzing tumoral heterogeneity in human skin carcinoma tissue sections

Lab Invest. 2011 May;91(5):799-811. doi: 10.1038/labinvest.2011.13. Epub 2011 Feb 28.

Abstract

This study aims to develop a new FT-IR spectral imaging of tumoral tissue permitting a better characterization of tumor heterogeneity and tumor/surrounding tissue interface. Infrared (IR) data were acquired on 13 biopsies of paraffin-embedded human skin carcinomas. Our approach relies on an innovative fuzzy C-means (FCM)-based clustering algorithm, allowing the automatic and simultaneous estimation of the optimal FCM parameters (number of clusters K and fuzziness index m). FCM seems more suitable than classical 'hard' clusterings, as it permits the assignment of each IR spectrum to every cluster with a specific membership value. This characteristic allows differentiating the nuances in the assignment of pixels, particularly those corresponding to tumoral tissue and those located at the tumor/peritumoral tissue interface. FCM images permit to highlight a marked heterogeneity within the tumor and characterize the interconnection between tissular structures. For the infiltrative tumors, a progressive gradient in the membership values of the pixels of the invasive front was also revealed.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Algorithms*
  • Automation*
  • Cluster Analysis
  • Fuzzy Logic*
  • Humans
  • Skin Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared