Poop affected by pancreas issues is typically pale, light-colored, yellow, or clay-colored, often appearing greasy, fatty, and foul-smelling due to insufficient fat digestion (steatorrhea) from a lack of pancreatic enzymes, sometimes floating and being hard to flush. This happens when the pancreas can't secrete enough digestive juices, affecting bile and fat breakdown, and can signal conditions like pancreatitis or pancreatic cancer.
Symptoms may include:
Pancreatic cancer doesn't often produce symptoms in its earliest stages. The most common symptoms of pancreatic cancer are pain in your back or abdomen, weight loss and jaundice. Anyone whose skin or eyes turn yellow should be evaluated by a physician immediately.
Light-colored or greasy stools: Bilirubin normally helps give stools their brown color. If the bile duct is blocked, stools might be light-colored or gray. Also, if bile and pancreatic enzymes can't get through to the intestines to help break down fats, the stools can become greasy and might float in the toilet.
Most surgeons adhere to the 'Rule of 6' for the management of pancreatic pseudocysts (that is cysts >6 cm or duration >6 weeks).
The differential diagnosis for pancreatitis includes an ulcer of the stomach or duodenum, liver inflammation, small bowel obstruction, functional bowel disorders, abdominal aortic aneurysm, an obstruction of the intestine and pancreatic cancer.
Digestive issues that can cause yellow stools include: celiac disease. chronic pancreatitis. liver disorders.
If your stool is bright red or black — which may indicate the presence of blood — seek medical attention right away. Food may be moving through the large intestine too quickly, such as due to diarrhea. As a result, bile doesn't have time to break down completely.
Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI) is a condition that occurs typically as a consequence of multiple bouts of acute pancreatitis, or when one has chronic pancreatitis. EPI can cause chronic diarrhea, weight loss, malnutrition (especially of certain vitamins), and gas/bloating.
Avoid high-fat foods, such as: Chocolate, whole milk, ice cream, processed cheese, and egg yolks. Fried, deep fried, or buttered foods. Sausage, salami, and bacon.
Changes in Stools
Diarrhea consisting of loose, watery, oily or foul-smelling stools can be caused by insufficient amounts of pancreatic enzymes in the intestines. This leads to malabsorption as undigested food passes quickly through the digestive tract.
Chronic pancreatitis symptoms may include:
Ginger. Ginger contains antioxidants that are good for the pancreas as they control inflammation and boost the enzymes needed for proper digestion. When brewed, ginger tea provides soothing effects for anyone experiencing pancreatitis symptoms such as pain and nausea.
About 4 out of 5 cases of acute pancreatitis improve quickly and don't cause any serious further problems. However, 1 in 5 cases are severe and can result in life-threatening complications, such as multiple organ failure. In severe cases where complications develop, there's a high risk of the condition being fatal.
In general, a pancreatic diet emphasizes small, frequent, nutrient-dense meals including lean protein, fruits and vegetables, and whole grains, and discourages alcohol and greasy foods.
Early pancreatic cancer may cause only vague, unexplained symptoms, such as: Pain, usually in the abdomen or back. Weight loss. Jaundice (yellowing of the skin, eyes or both) with or without itching.
The Choose Health Pancreatic Health Test is an easy-to-use, at-home test designed to track two key digestive enzymes: amylase and lipase. These biomarkers play a critical role in pancreatic function and digestive health, helping to break down fats and carbohydrates for proper nutrient absorption.
Bowel changes
If your pancreatic duct blocks, you might develop a symptom called steatorrhoea. This means fatty stools. You may pass frequent, large bowel motions that are pale coloured and smelly, and are difficult to flush away.
His case is a reminder that even seemingly minor symptoms—such as fatigue, unexplained pain, weight loss, and skin discolouration—should never be ignored. Another survivor, Dan Godley, has been given the all-clear from pancreatic cancer.
A more visible sign of liver cancer is a yellow discolouration in your sclera (the whites of your eyes) and skin. We call this jaundice, which may be less noticeable if you are a person of colour. With jaundice, your skin may itch, your stools (poo) may be lighter or chalky, and your urine may be darker than usual.