New data model for graph-cut segmentation: Application to automatic melanoma delineation

We propose a new data model for graph-cut image segmentation, defined according to probabilities learned by a classification process. Unlike traditional graph-cut methods, the data model takes into account not only color but also texture and shape information. For melanoma images, we also introduce skin chromophore features and automatically derive “seed” pixels used to train the classifier from a coarse initial segmentation. On natural images, our method successfully segments objects having similar color but different texture. Its application to melanoma delineation compares favorably to manual delineation and related graph-cut segmentation methods.