A Resampling Ant Colony Optimization with Elite Exploration and Convergence Mechanism for Multithreshold Segmentation of Breast Cancer Images

Abstract

Previous studies have emphasized the potential of threshold image segmentation for early breast cancer detection. However, traditional methods encounter challenges regarding low segmentation efficiency and accuracy. Addressing this, the ant colony optimization algorithm for continuous optimization (ACOR) shows promise. Yet, existing ACOR variants still grapple with poor initial population quality, affecting convergence speed and avoiding local optimization. These issues impact segmentation efficiency and accuracy. To tackle them, this study introduces RESACO, an enhanced ACOR version integrating three novel optimization strategies: resampling initialization (RIS), elite exploration (EES), and strengthened convergence mechanism (SCM). RIS enhances initial population quality by resampling regions with individuals demonstrating superior fitness and segmentation efficiency. EES promotes exploration across the search space, preventing local optima entrapment and enhancing model stability. SCM expediting convergence, segmentation efficiency, and precision. RESACO's performance is assessed through extensive experiments using IEEE CEC 2014 and IEEE CEC 2022 benchmark functions, including ablation experiments and comparisons with basic and improved algorithms and ACOR variants. Subsequently, the threshold image segmentation model based on RESACO is compared with other models using metaheuristic algorithms for segmenting realistic breast cancer medical images. Results demonstrate the proposed model's faster convergence and higher segmentation accuracy, preserving more lesion tissue details.