Fish Image Analysis System for Breast Cancer Studies

HER2/neu gene amplification is being evaluated by fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH). In order to avoid interobserver variations in the assessment of HER2/neu status, an integrated FISH image analysis system is developed to automate the classification of FISH images from breast carcinomas. Using a two-stage algorithm, for nuclei and dot detection, and combining results from multiple images taken from a slice for overall case classification, FISH signals ratio per cell nucleus were measured and cases were classified as positive or negative. The system consists of functions for red spot detection, green spot detection, nuclei segmentation and FISH signal ratio. Therefore, it provides the capability to manually correct the resulted images after the analysis.

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