imaging-data-commons

Query and download public cancer imaging data from the National Cancer Institute Imaging Data Commons.

1|1|Updated Mar 13, 2026

Search Tags:#data download #pathology #DICOM #radiology #medical imaging #cancer data #NCI IDC

Ready to run

npx skills add https://github.com/youyinnn/skills-collection --skill imaging-data-commons-youyinnn

💬 Prompt for ChatGPT / Claude Chat▼

Please help me install this Agent Skill.
Skill: imaging-data-commons
Source: https://github.com/youyinnn/skills-collection/tree/main/plugins/data-preparation-and-processing/skills/imaging-data-commons
Command: npx skills add https://github.com/youyinnn/skills-collection --skill imaging-data-commons-youyinnn

SYSTEM DOCUMENTATION & REQUIREMENTS

💡 This Skill requires idc-index, and includes scripts (resource) and references (resource) components.

What problem does it solve?

This Skill simplifies the process of finding, querying, and downloading large-scale public cancer imaging datasets from the National Cancer Institute Imaging Data Commons (IDC).

Core Features & Use Cases

Query Metadata: Use SQL to search vast collections of radiology (CT, MR, PET) and pathology images based on metadata like cancer type, modality, and anatomical site.
Download Data: Efficiently download DICOM files directly from cloud storage.
Visualize Images: View medical images in a web browser without local software.
Check Licenses: Understand data licensing terms before use.
Use Case: A researcher needs to find all publicly available CT scans of lung cancer patients for a deep learning project. They can use this Skill to query IDC, filter by relevant criteria, download the DICOM data, and ensure compliance with data licenses.

Quick Start

Use the imaging-data-commons skill to find and download 10 CT scans of lung cancer patients from the TCGA LUAD collection.

Frequently Asked Questions about imaging-data-commons

High-intent search queries and answers about installing and using this skill.

FAQPage Schema

How do I download public cancer imaging data from the NCI Imaging Data Commons?▼

You can download public cancer imaging data by using this Skill to programmatically fetch DICOM files directly from NCI IDC cloud storage without authentication. It supports efficient direct downloads of large-scale radiology and pathology datasets.

Can I query NCI IDC metadata using SQL to find specific DICOM images?▼

Yes, you can query NCI IDC metadata using SQL to search vast collections of DICOM images. This Skill enables SQL-based metadata discovery to filter public cancer imaging data by cancer type, modality, and anatomical site.

Do I need an account or authentication to access public cancer imaging data through IDC?▼

No, you do not need authentication to access public cancer imaging data through IDC. This Skill facilitates research by providing programmatic access to query and download large-scale datasets without requiring any user login.

How do I visualize DICOM files downloaded from the Imaging Data Commons in a browser?▼

You can visualize DICOM files by utilizing this Skill's browser-based image visualization feature. It allows researchers to view medical images directly in a web browser without needing to install local radiology or pathology software.

What is the best way to find CT scans of lung cancer patients for deep learning research?▼

The best way to find CT scans is using this Skill to query the NCI IDC with SQL, filtering by lung cancer metadata. You can then download the DICOM data and check data licensing terms to ensure deep learning research compliance.