The Application of Deep Learning for Lymph Node Segmentation: A Systematic Review

Automatic lymph node segmentation is the cornerstone for advances in computer vision tasks for early detection and staging of cancer. Traditional segmentation methods are constrained by manual delineation and variability in operator proficiency, limiting their ability to achieve high accuracy. The i...

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Main Authors: Jingguo Qu, Xinyang Han, Man-Lik Chui, Yao Pu, Simon Takadiyi Gunda, Ziman Chen, Jing Qin, Ann Dorothy King, Winnie Chiu-Wing Chu, Jing Cai, Michael Tin-Cheung Ying
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: IEEE 2025-01-01
Series:IEEE Access
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Online Access:https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/11020702/
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author Jingguo Qu
Xinyang Han
Man-Lik Chui
Yao Pu
Simon Takadiyi Gunda
Ziman Chen
Jing Qin
Ann Dorothy King
Winnie Chiu-Wing Chu
Jing Cai
Michael Tin-Cheung Ying
author_facet Jingguo Qu
Xinyang Han
Man-Lik Chui
Yao Pu
Simon Takadiyi Gunda
Ziman Chen
Jing Qin
Ann Dorothy King
Winnie Chiu-Wing Chu
Jing Cai
Michael Tin-Cheung Ying
author_sort Jingguo Qu
collection DOAJ
description Automatic lymph node segmentation is the cornerstone for advances in computer vision tasks for early detection and staging of cancer. Traditional segmentation methods are constrained by manual delineation and variability in operator proficiency, limiting their ability to achieve high accuracy. The introduction of deep learning technologies offers new possibilities for improving the accuracy of lymph node image analysis. This study evaluates the application of deep learning in lymph node segmentation and discusses the methodologies of various deep learning architectures such as convolutional neural networks, encoder-decoder networks, and transformers in analyzing medical imaging data across different modalities. Despite the advancements, it still confronts challenges like the shape diversity of lymph nodes, the scarcity of accurately labeled datasets, and the inadequate development of methods that are robust and generalizable across different imaging modalities. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study that provides a comprehensive overview of the application of deep learning techniques in lymph node segmentation task. Furthermore, this study also explores potential future research directions, including multimodal fusion techniques, transfer learning, and the use of large-scale pre-trained models to overcome current limitations while enhancing cancer diagnosis and treatment planning strategies.
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institution Kabale University
issn 2169-3536
language English
publishDate 2025-01-01
publisher IEEE
record_format Article
series IEEE Access
spelling doaj-art-37ea7a5a56d44ce98df61eb7bb9ce3bb2025-08-20T03:24:59ZengIEEEIEEE Access2169-35362025-01-0113972089722710.1109/ACCESS.2025.357545411020702The Application of Deep Learning for Lymph Node Segmentation: A Systematic ReviewJingguo Qu0https://orcid.org/0009-0006-4265-3714Xinyang Han1Man-Lik Chui2Yao Pu3https://orcid.org/0009-0004-3133-5054Simon Takadiyi Gunda4Ziman Chen5https://orcid.org/0009-0009-9166-143XJing Qin6https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2961-0860Ann Dorothy King7Winnie Chiu-Wing Chu8https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4962-4132Jing Cai9https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6934-0108Michael Tin-Cheung Ying10https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5979-6072Department of Health Technology and Informatics, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, ChinaDepartment of Health Technology and Informatics, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, ChinaDepartment of Health Technology and Informatics, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, ChinaDepartment of Health Technology and Informatics, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, ChinaDepartment of Health Technology and Informatics, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, ChinaDepartment of Health Technology and Informatics, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, ChinaCentre for Smart Health, School of Nursing, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, ChinaDepartment of Imaging and Interventional Radiology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, ChinaDepartment of Imaging and Interventional Radiology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, ChinaDepartment of Health Technology and Informatics, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, ChinaDepartment of Health Technology and Informatics, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, ChinaAutomatic lymph node segmentation is the cornerstone for advances in computer vision tasks for early detection and staging of cancer. Traditional segmentation methods are constrained by manual delineation and variability in operator proficiency, limiting their ability to achieve high accuracy. The introduction of deep learning technologies offers new possibilities for improving the accuracy of lymph node image analysis. This study evaluates the application of deep learning in lymph node segmentation and discusses the methodologies of various deep learning architectures such as convolutional neural networks, encoder-decoder networks, and transformers in analyzing medical imaging data across different modalities. Despite the advancements, it still confronts challenges like the shape diversity of lymph nodes, the scarcity of accurately labeled datasets, and the inadequate development of methods that are robust and generalizable across different imaging modalities. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study that provides a comprehensive overview of the application of deep learning techniques in lymph node segmentation task. Furthermore, this study also explores potential future research directions, including multimodal fusion techniques, transfer learning, and the use of large-scale pre-trained models to overcome current limitations while enhancing cancer diagnosis and treatment planning strategies.https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/11020702/Convolutional neural networkdeep learninglymph node segmentationmedical image processingtransformer
spellingShingle Jingguo Qu
Xinyang Han
Man-Lik Chui
Yao Pu
Simon Takadiyi Gunda
Ziman Chen
Jing Qin
Ann Dorothy King
Winnie Chiu-Wing Chu
Jing Cai
Michael Tin-Cheung Ying
The Application of Deep Learning for Lymph Node Segmentation: A Systematic Review
IEEE Access
Convolutional neural network
deep learning
lymph node segmentation
medical image processing
transformer
title The Application of Deep Learning for Lymph Node Segmentation: A Systematic Review
title_full The Application of Deep Learning for Lymph Node Segmentation: A Systematic Review
title_fullStr The Application of Deep Learning for Lymph Node Segmentation: A Systematic Review
title_full_unstemmed The Application of Deep Learning for Lymph Node Segmentation: A Systematic Review
title_short The Application of Deep Learning for Lymph Node Segmentation: A Systematic Review
title_sort application of deep learning for lymph node segmentation a systematic review
topic Convolutional neural network
deep learning
lymph node segmentation
medical image processing
transformer
url https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/11020702/
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