SkinSage XAI: An explainable deep learning solution for skin lesion diagnosis

Abstract

Background

Skin cancer poses a significant global health threat, with early detection being essential for successful treatment. While deep learning algorithms have greatly enhanced the categorization of skin lesions, the black-box nature of many models limits interpretability, posing challenges for dermatologists.

Methods

To address these limitations, SkinSage XAI utilizes advanced explainable artificial intelligence (XAI) techniques for skin lesion categorization. A data set of around 50,000 images from the Customized HAM10000, selected for diversity, serves as the foundation. The Inception v3 model is used for classification, supported by gradient-weighted class activation mapping and local interpretable model-agnostic explanations algorithms, which provide clear visual explanations for model outputs.

Results

SkinSage XAI demonstrated high performance, accurately categorizing seven types of skin lesions—dermatofibroma, benign keratosis, melanocytic nevus, vascular lesion, actinic keratosis, basal cell carcinoma, and melanoma. It achieved an accuracy of 96%, with precision at 96.42%, recall at 96.28%, F₁ score at 96.14%, and an area under the curve of 99.83%.

Conclusions

SkinSage XAI represents a significant advancement in dermatology and artificial intelligence by bridging gaps in accuracy and explainability. The system provides transparent, accurate diagnoses, improving decision-making for dermatologists and potentially enhancing patient outcomes.