Abstract
Colorectal cancer is associated with a high mortality rate and significant patient risk. Images obtained during a colonoscopy are used to make a diagnosis, highlighting the importance of timely diagnosis and treatment. Using techniques of deep learning could enhance the diagnostic accuracy of existing systems. Using the most advanced deep learning techniques, a brand-new EnsemDeepCADx system for accurate colorectal cancer diagnosis has been developed. The optimal accuracy is achieved by combining Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs) with transfer learning via bidirectional long short-term memory (BILSTM) and support vector machines (SVM). Four pre-trained CNN models comprise the ADaDR-22, ADaR-22, and DaRD-22 ensemble CNNs: AlexNet, DarkNet-19, DenseNet-201, and ResNet-50. In each of its stages, the CADx system is thoroughly evaluated. From the CKHK-22 mixed dataset, colour, greyscale, and local binary pattern (LBP) image datasets and features are utilised. In the second stage, the returned features are compared to a new feature fusion dataset using three distinct CNN ensembles. Next, they incorporate ensemble CNNs with SVM-based transfer learning by comparing raw features to feature fusion datasets. In the final stage of transfer learning, BILSTM and SVM are combined with a CNN ensemble. The testing accuracy for the ensemble fusion CNN DarD-22 using BILSTM and SVM on the original, grey, LBP, and feature fusion datasets was optimal (95.96%, 88.79%, 73.54%, and 97.89%). Comparing the outputs of all four feature datasets with those of the three ensemble CNNs at each stage enables the EnsemDeepCADx system to attain its highest level of accuracy.