Detect X: programming for the benefit of medicine

Abstract

The early diagnosis of lung cancer allows the treatment / disease more quickly and accurately, decreasing chances of metastasis [8]. In 2008, lung cancer caused 1.2 million deaths, 45% of which occurred in Latin America and the Caribbean, according to PAHO (Pan American Health Organization) [8]. From this scenario, a project was developed to generate early and effective treatment by the assisting in the screening of cancerous neoplasms. This project consists of a software, Detect X, which identifies cancerous tumors in X-ray images through vectors, known as line segments used to represent some vector quantity. After identifying the inserted image, the program generates 3 figures, the PCA (Principal Component Analysis) [11] with the RGB separation (red, green and blue color system) [2]. The images generated by the program are composed of vectors that originate from the color variation between pixels [2]. The greater the color variation between pixels, the greater the vector, consequently showing the possible presence of a tumor in the analyzed body region. The lighter or darker part highlights where the tumor is located and where it is likely to spread, allowing treatment to be started earlier. Detect X uses the MATLAB (Matrix Laboratory) programming language to perform its mathematical function. The software is currently being improved so it can later be implemented in clinics and hospitals, helping physicians in the early diagnosis of neoplasms.