A Comprehensive Analysis on Skin Cancer Classification Using Transfer Learning

Skin cancer, a prevalent and potentially life-threatening disease, necessitates accurate and timely diagnosis for effective treatment. In addressing this critical healthcare challenge, this research proposes a novel approach to skin cancer classification. The study identifies the need for enhanced diagnostic accuracy and introduces a solution by integrating the efficiency of transfer learning, specifically utilizing the EfficientNet V2 architecture. The proposed methodology leverages pre-trained convolutional neural networks (CNNs) to extract high-level features from dermatological images, which are subsequently input into a sophisticated classifier, forming a robust framework for precise skin cancer classification. The research employs a diverse dataset comprising 3297 images sourced from the publicly available Skin Cancer ISIC archive dataset, ensuring comprehensive coverage of benign and malignant skin lesions. During the training phase, the proposed EfficientNet V2 transfer learning approach outperforms conventional methods, achieving an impressive accuracy of 84%, surpassing both Inception V3 (82%) and a generic CNN model (81%). Interpretability analysis is conducted to elucidate the decision-making process of the EfficientNet V2 model, providing insights into the key features influencing its predictions. This transparency is crucial for building trust in the model's recommendations and facilitating its seamless integration into clinical workflows. The EfficientNet V2 transfer learning approach emerges as a promising and effective solution for advancing skin cancer classification systems, contributing significantly to the ongoing efforts to improve diagnostic accuracy in dermatology.