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Image and statistical analysis of melanocytic histology
Author(s) -
Miedema Jayson,
Marron James Stephen,
Niethammer Marc,
Borland David,
Woosley John,
Coposky Jason,
Wei Susan,
Reisner Howard,
Thomas Nancy E
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
histopathology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.626
H-Index - 124
eISSN - 1365-2559
pISSN - 0309-0167
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2559.2012.04229.x
Subject(s) - melanoma , dysplastic nevus , medicine , dermatology , pathology , histology , histopathology , digital image analysis , receiver operating characteristic , nevus , computer science , cancer research , computer vision
Miedema J, Marron J S, Niethammer M, Borland D, Woosley J, Coposky J, Wei S, Reisner H & Thomas N E
(2012) Histopathology 61, 436–444 Image and statistical analysis of melanocytic histology Aims: We applied digital image analysis techniques to study selected types of melanocytic lesions. Methods and results: We used advanced digital image analysis to compare melanocytic lesions as follows: (i) melanoma to nevi, (ii) melanoma subtypes to nevi, (iii) severely dysplastic nevi to other nevi and (iv) melanoma to severely dysplastic nevi. We were successful in differentiating melanoma from nevi [receiver operating characteristic area (ROC) 0.95] using image‐derived features, among which those related to nuclear size and shape and distance between nuclei were most important. Dividing melanoma into subtypes, even greater separation was obtained (ROC area 0.98 for superficial spreading melanoma; 0.95 for lentigo maligna melanoma; and 0.99 for unclassified). Severely dysplastic nevi were best differentiated from conventional and mildly dysplastic nevi by differences in cellular staining qualities (ROC area 0.84). We found that melanomas were separated from severely dysplastic nevi by features related to shape and staining qualities (ROC area 0.95). All comparisons were statistically significant ( P < 0.0001). Conclusions: We offer a unique perspective into the evaluation of melanocytic lesions and demonstrate a technological application with increasing prevalence, and with potential use as an adjunct to traditional diagnosis in the future.