The influence of a peripheral tumor on the behavior of animals and the structure of neurons in the prefrontal cortex

Melanoma is the most aggressive of the common forms of skin cancer. Proinflammatory cytokines produced by the tumor and delivered via the circulatory and lymphatic systems can lead to damage to the structures of the central nervous system. Damage to the blood-brain barrier and the endothelium of blood capillaries can cause dysfunction of neurons in the cerebral cortex, induce changes in neural plasticity, cognitive functions and result in the development of depression. Depression is observed in 20% of the cancer patients, and it affects quality of life, treatment effectiveness and survival. Depression has been linked to damage to the prefrontal cortex, which plays an important role in many brain functions, including cognition, emotion regulation, motivation and sociability.