A Machine Learning Approach for Localizing Cancerous Nodules

Principal Investigator

Name
Zachary Hendlin

Degrees
BA (statistics) MA (in progress)

Institution
M.I.T.

Position Title
Graduate Student

Email
zgh@mit.edu

About this CDAS Project

Study
NLST (Learn more about this study)

Project ID
NLST-39

Initial CDAS Request Approval
Oct 17, 2013

Title
A Machine Learning Approach for Localizing Cancerous Nodules

Summary
We propose the application of statistical machine learning approaches to (1) the primary identification of atypical nodules in medical imaging data, and (2) supplemental verification of atypical clinical results.

Unlike image recognition and classification approaches which rely on pre-specified feature sets (e.g. shape, color intensity, symmetry) we explore the applicability of a more generalizable approach which aims to better develop nuanced hierarchical feature sets from medical images to facilitate the development of higher performance models for the recognition of atypical nodules.

Aims

(1) Explore the viability of applying deep machine learning algorithms to unstructured and unnormalized medical imaging data

(2) Determine the statistical properties of various computational models (both supervised and unsupervised statistical learning) for determining atypical nodules

(3) Fine-tune model parameters for more accurate prediction and detection of atypical nodules

(4) Understand key limitations of unsupervised learning and how the introduction of application-specific features can enhance classification ability

Collaborators

Tejas Kulkarni, MIT PhD student
Karthik Rajagopal, MIT PhD student
Ardavan Saeedi, MIT PhD student