A Survey Paper for Skin Cancer Detection Based on Retinex Theory

A large number of the medical imaging systems have been developed to visualize parts of the body that cannot be seen from the outside. X-ray scans, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), positron emission tomography (PET), X-ray computer tomography (CT) and ultra sound provide information such as tissue characteristics, functional information of organs and bone structures by means of non-invasive action. Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer and it is on the rise. Non-melanoma skin cancers account for half of all cancers and include basal cell carcinomas and squamous cell carcinomas. Basal cell carcinomas begin in the basal cell layer of the epidermis. The tumor cells continue dividing but do not differentiate any further. Squamous cell carcinomas develop from dividing keratinocytes in a higher level of the epidermis. This paper covers skin cancer detection based on feature extraction and retinex theory.