Deep learning feature-based model for predicting lymphovascular invasion in urothelial carcinoma of bladder using CT images

Abstract Objectives Lymphovascular invasion significantly impacts the prognosis of urothelial carcinoma of the bladder. Traditional lymphovascular invasion detection methods are time-consuming and costly. This study aims to develop a deep learning-based model to preoperatively predict lymphovascular...

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Main Authors: Bangxin Xiao, Yang Lv, Canjie Peng, Zongjie Wei, Qiao Xv, Fajin Lv, Qing Jiang, Huayun Liu, Feng Li, Yingjie Xv, Quanhao He, Mingzhao Xiao
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: SpringerOpen 2025-05-01
Series:Insights into Imaging
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s13244-025-01988-6
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Summary:Abstract Objectives Lymphovascular invasion significantly impacts the prognosis of urothelial carcinoma of the bladder. Traditional lymphovascular invasion detection methods are time-consuming and costly. This study aims to develop a deep learning-based model to preoperatively predict lymphovascular invasion status in urothelial carcinoma of bladder using CT images. Methods Data and CT images of 577 patients across four medical centers were retrospectively collected. The largest tumor slices from the transverse, coronal, and sagittal planes were selected and used to train CNN models (InceptionV3, DenseNet121, ResNet18, ResNet34, ResNet50, and VGG11). Deep learning features were extracted and visualized using Grad-CAM. Principal Component Analysis reduced features to 64. Using the extracted features, Decision Tree, XGBoost, and LightGBM models were trained with 5-fold cross-validation and ensembled in a stacking model. Clinical risk factors were identified through logistic regression analyses and combined with DL scores to enhance lymphovascular invasion prediction accuracy. Results The ResNet50-based model achieved an AUC of 0.818 in the validation set and 0.708 in the testing set. The combined model showed an AUC of 0.794 in the validation set and 0.767 in the testing set, demonstrating robust performance across diverse data. Conclusion We developed a robust radiomics model based on deep learning features from CT images to preoperatively predict lymphovascular invasion status in urothelial carcinoma of the bladder. This model offers a non-invasive, cost-effective tool to assist clinicians in personalized treatment planning. Critical relevance statement We developed a robust radiomics model based on deep learning features from CT images to preoperatively predict lymphovascular invasion status in urothelial carcinoma of the bladder. Key Points We developed a deep learning feature-based stacking model to predict lymphovascular invasion in urothelial carcinoma of the bladder patients using CT. Max cross sections from three dimensions of the CT image are used to train the CNN model. We made comparisons across six CNN networks, including ResNet50. Graphical Abstract
ISSN:1869-4101