Efficient deep learning model for classifying lung cancer images using normalized stain agnostic feature method and FastAI-2
Pranshu Saxena, Sanjay Kumar Singh, Mamoon Rashid, Sultan S. Alshamrani, Mrim M. Alnfiai · PeerJ Computer Science · 2025
Background: Lung cancer has the highest global fatality rate, with diagnosis primarily relying on histological tissue sample analysis. Accurate classification is critical for treatment planning and patient outcomes. Methods: This study develops a computer-assisted diagnosis system for non-small cell lung cancer histology classification, utilizing the FastAI-2 framework with a modified ResNet-34 architecture. The methodology includes stain normalization using LAB colour space for colour consistency, followed by deep learning-based classification. The proposed model is trained on the LC25000 dataset and compared with VGG11 and SqueezeNet1_1, demonstrating modified ResNet-34's optimal balance between depth and performance. FastAI-2 enhances computational efficiency, enabling rapid convergence with minimal training time. Results: The proposed system achieved 99.78% accuracy, confirming the effectiveness of automated lung cancer histopathology classification. This study highlights the potential of artificial intelligence (AI)-driven diagnostic tools to assist pathologists by improving accuracy, reducing workload, and enhancing decision-making in clinical settings.