MRI and CT bladder segmentation from classical to deep learning based approaches: Current limitations and lessons. (July 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Bandyk, Mark G.; Gopireddy, Dheeraj R.; Lall, Chandana; Balaji, K.C.; Dolz, Jose
• Is Part Of: Computers in biology and medicine. Volume 134(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-07
• Subjects: Bladder segmentation -- Deep learning -- Convolutional neural networks -- Bladder cancer; Medicine -- Data processing -- Periodicals; Biology -- Data processing -- Periodicals; 610.285
• DOI: 10.1016/j.compbiomed.2021.104472
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0010-4825

Abstract

Abstract: Precise determination and assessment of bladder cancer (BC) extent of muscle invasion involvement guides proper risk stratification and personalized therapy selection. In this context, segmentation of both bladder walls and cancer are of pivotal importance, as it provides invaluable information to stage the primary tumor. Hence, multiregion segmentation on patients presenting with symptoms of bladder tumors using deep learning heralds a new level of staging accuracy and prediction of the biologic behavior of the tumor. Nevertheless, despite the success of these models in other medical problems, progress in multiregion bladder segmentation, particularly in MRI and CT modalities, is still at a nascent stage, with just a handful of works tackling a multiregion scenario. Furthermore, most existing approaches systematically follow prior literature in other clinical problems, without casting a doubt on the validity of these methods on bladder segmentation, which may present different challenges. Inspired by this, we provide an in-depth look at bladder cancer segmentation using deep learning models. The critical determinants for accurate differentiation of muscle invasive disease, current status of deep learning based bladder segmentation, lessons and limitations of prior work are highlighted. Highlights: We provide an in-depth look at bladder cancer segmentation using deep learning models. Limitations of current approaches, in terms of methodology, evaluation and reproducibility are assessed. We further provide a list of potential research directions to address this task.