The pancreas, located deep within the abdomen, produces hormones like insulin and generates digestive juices containing enzymes. These enzymes break down fats, carbohydrates, and proteins into absorbable molecules. When the pancreas is affected by serious conditions, such as cancer, its ability to secrete these digestive substances can be compromised. This disruption leads to noticeable changes in the digestive process, often appearing first in the stool. Reporting persistent changes in bowel movements is an initial step in identifying potential health issues, though only a medical professional can provide a diagnosis.
The Appearance of Problematic Stool
The most distinguishing characteristic of problematic stool resulting from pancreatic issues is steatorrhea, which refers to an excess of fat in the feces. This fatty stool is often pale, appearing light yellow or clay-colored, indicating that normal digestive processes are failing. Steatorrhea is typically bulky and voluminous due to the undigested fat content.
The consistency is frequently greasy or oily, often making the stool difficult to flush and sometimes visible as droplets floating on the water’s surface. This type of stool also has an unusually foul or pungent odor, resulting from the fermentation of excess undigested material. Due to the high fat content, these stools are less dense, often causing them to float instead of sinking. These changes signal that the body is not absorbing nutrients effectively, indicating underlying digestive system dysfunction.
The Digestive Processes That Cause Stool Changes
The distinct appearance of steatorrhea is caused by a failure in the normal digestive mechanism, primarily involving pancreatic enzymes and bile. The pancreas produces lipase, the enzyme responsible for breaking down dietary fats into absorbable fatty acids and glycerol.
If a pancreatic tumor obstructs the duct carrying these enzymes or destroys the enzyme-producing tissue, the amount of active lipase reaching the gut is significantly reduced. A substantial reduction in lipase means fats pass through the digestive system largely undigested. This undigested fat is excreted in the feces, resulting in the bulky, greasy, and floating characteristics of steatorrhea and contributing to a loss of calories.
The pale or clay-colored appearance of the stool is due to an issue involving the flow of bile. Bile, produced by the liver, contains bilirubin, which gives normal stool its brown color. The common bile duct runs close to the head of the pancreas before emptying into the small intestine.
A tumor growing in the head of the pancreas can compress and obstruct this duct, preventing bile from reaching the intestine. When bile is blocked, the stool loses its coloring agent and becomes light-colored. The excess bilirubin then backs up into the bloodstream, leading to jaundice.
Other Gastrointestinal Symptoms Associated with Pancreatic Issues
Changes in stool are often accompanied by other symptoms arising from the same underlying digestive and obstructive issues. Unexplained weight loss is common, stemming from the body’s inability to absorb fat and other nutrients due to enzyme deficiency. This significant weight loss is a frequent reason individuals seek medical attention.
Abdominal pain is another symptom, often starting as a dull ache in the upper abdomen that can radiate to the middle or upper back. This pain may be caused by the tumor pressing on nearby nerves or organs, and it can worsen after eating or when lying down. Tumor pressure can also cause nausea, vomiting, or a feeling of being full quickly when eating.
Jaundice, characterized by the yellowing of the skin and eyes, results directly from bile duct obstruction. When bile is blocked, bilirubin builds up in the blood, causing this discoloration. Individuals with jaundice may also notice unusually dark urine.
A new diagnosis of diabetes in a person over 50, especially when combined with unexplained weight loss, may signal pancreatic dysfunction. The disease can affect the pancreas’s hormone-producing cells, leading to a sudden change in blood sugar regulation.
Medical Evaluation and Next Steps
Anyone noticing persistent changes in their stool, especially if accompanied by unexplained weight loss or jaundice, should consult a healthcare provider promptly. The initial visit includes taking a detailed medical history focused on symptom onset and nature. A physical examination checks the skin and eyes for jaundice and feels the abdomen for swelling or masses.
Initial diagnostic steps often include blood tests to check for abnormal liver function, suggesting a bile duct blockage, and to measure tumor markers like CA 19-9. A specific stool test may also be ordered to quantitatively measure excreted fat, providing objective evidence of malabsorption.
Imaging tests are standard for visualizing the pancreas and surrounding structures. A computed tomography (CT) scan provides detailed cross-sectional images of the organ. An abdominal ultrasound may also be performed, as it is a quick way to check for a blocked bile duct. If imaging suggests a mass, a biopsy, which involves taking a small tissue sample, is the only definitive way to confirm a cancer diagnosis.