Multimodal AI framework for lung cancer diagnosis: Integrating CNN and ANN models for imaging and clinical data analysis.

Lung cancer remains a leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide, emphasizing the critical need for accurate and early diagnostic solutions. This study introduces a novel multimodal artificial intelligence (AI) framework that integrates Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs) and Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs) to improve lung cancer classification and severity assessment. The CNN model, trained on 1019 preprocessed CT images, classified lung tissue into four histological categories, adenocarcinoma, large cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and normal, with a weighted accuracy of 92 %. Interpretability is enhanced using Gradient-weighted Class Activation Mapping (Grad-CAM), which highlights the salient image regions influencing the model's predictions. In parallel, an ANN trained on clinical data from 999 patients-spanning 24 key features such as demographic, symptomatic, and genetic factors-achieves 99 % accuracy in predicting cancer severity (low, medium, high). SHapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP) are employed to provide both global and local interpretability of the ANN model, enabling transparent decision-making. Both models were rigorously validated using k-fold cross-validation to ensure robustness and reduce overfitting. This hybrid approach effectively combines spatial imaging data and structured clinical information, demonstrating strong predictive performance and offering an interpretable and comprehensive AI-based solution for lung cancer diagnosis and management.