Nuclei segmentation and classification from histopathology images using federated learning for end-edge platform

• Published in: PloS one Vol. 20; no. 7; p. e0322749
• Main Authors: Chowdhury, Anjir Ahmed, Mahmud, S M Hasan, Uddin, Md Palash, Kadry, Seifedine, Kim, Jung-Yeon, Nam, Yunyoung
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Public Library of Science 10.07.2025; Public Library of Science (PLoS)
• Subjects: Accuracy; Algorithms; Automation; Biology and Life Sciences; Biopsy; Cancer; Cell Nucleus - pathology; Classification; Collaboration; Computer and Information Sciences; Correlation coefficient; Correlation coefficients; Datasets; Deep Learning; Diagnosis; Efficiency; Engineering and Technology; Federated Learning; Health aspects; Histology; Histopathology; Humans; Image processing; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted - methods; Image segmentation; Localization; Machine learning; Medical imaging; Medicine and Health Sciences; Methods; Neoplasms - diagnostic imaging; Neoplasms - pathology; Neural networks; Nuclei; Optimization; Physical Sciences; Privacy; Research and Analysis Methods; Segmentation; Semantics; United States
• ISSN: 1932-6203; 1932-6203
• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0322749

Accurate nuclei segmentation and classification in histology images are critical for cancer detection but remain challenging due to color inconsistency, blurry boundaries, and overlapping nuclei. Manual segmentation is time-consuming and labor-intensive, highlighting the need for efficient and scalable automated solutions. This study proposes a deep learning framework that combines segmentation and classification to enhance nuclei evaluation in histopathology images. The framework follows a two-stage approach: first, a SegNet model segments the nuclei regions, and then a DenseNet121 model classifies the segmented instances. Hyperparameter optimization using the Hyperband method enhances the performance of both models. To protect data privacy, the framework employs a FedAvg-based federated learning scheme, enabling decentralized training without exposing sensitive data. For efficient deployment on edge devices, full integer quantization is applied to reduce computational overhead while maintaining accuracy. Experimental results show that the SegNet model achieves 91.4% Mean Pixel Accuracy (MPA), 63% Mean Intersection over Union (MIoU), and 90.6% Frequency-Weighted IoU (FWIoU). The DenseNet121 classifier achieves 83% accuracy and a 67% Matthews Correlation Coefficient (MCC), surpassing state-of-the-art models. Post-quantization, both models exhibit performance gains of 1.3% and 1.0%, respectively. The proposed framework demonstrates high accuracy and efficiency, highlighting its potential for real-world clinical deployment in cancer diagnosis.