Can yellow bowel movements be an indication of cancer?

A discoloration of the bowel movement, especially if it persists over a longer period of time, can basically indicate cancer. In the case of cancers in the gastrointestinal tract, the balance of the digestive organ is disturbed so that the bowel movement can change its color and consistency. Yellow stools, however, are more likely to indicate a tumor in the liver, the bile ducts or the pancreas. The cancer prevents the release of important digestive enzymes, disrupts the digestion of fats and proteins in particular, and causes yellow stools to form.In principle, yellow stools can therefore be an indication of cancer, but in most cases there are other reasons for the color changes. Our next topic might also be helpful for you: Symptoms of liver cancer

Diagnosis for yellow bowel movement

The diagnosis of yellow bowel movements should always be started with a medical history. The doctor in charge will ask about the duration and nature of the symptoms as well as possible triggers and thus obtain important information about where the color change in the bowel movement comes from. The abdomen should then be well listened to and palpated.

The intestine and liver will be examined. Depending on the suspected cause, a blood sample is then taken for laboratory tests. In addition, an ultrasound can provide information about the disease. If necessary, the bowel movement must be examined for pathogens. Further diagnostic steps depend on the suspected cause of the yellow stool.

These symptoms show that my yellow bowel movements are pathological

In principle, yellow stool is first suspected of being ill, unless an obvious explanation can be found (diet with yellow foods, medication with the side effect “may discolor the stool”, etc.). However, in many cases, the color of the stool is normal. If the symptoms persist for only a few days and are a one-off event, it cannot be assumed that the cause is pathological.

If, on the other hand, yellow bowel movements occur regularly or if an inexplicable change in color occurs that does not return to normal, the cause of yellow bowel movements should be investigated. In most cases, a pathological yellow bowel movement occurs in connection with other complaints. Most often, it occurs in addition: But systemic symptoms such as indisposition, tiredness, reduced performance, headaches, exhaustion, etc.

can also be indications of a pathological cause of yellow bowel movements. Occasionally, specific symptoms such as yellowing of the skin (an indication of liver or bile disease) occur. Serious digestive problems (an increased amount of undigested food is found in the bowel movement, clear and unintentional weight loss within a short period of time) are also a sign that yellow bowel movement is pathological.

Abdominal pain
Nausea
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Blockages

Mucilaginous admixtures to the stool often indicate processes in the gastrointestinal tract. A yellowish coloration of the stool or mucus may be caused by an inflammatory disease. In this case the yellow color of the mucus is caused by pus.

But red (bloody) mucus can also occur in connection with yellow bowel movements. This indicates a lesion of the intestinal mucosa and should be examined by a physician. Occasionally, temporary mucus deposits and yellow bowel movements are also caused by a change in diet and certain foods.

Diarrhea is defined by a more fluid stool consistency associated with frequent bowel movements (at least 3 times a day). The underlying mechanism takes place in the intestine, where not enough liquid is absorbed from the precursors of the finished bowel movement. This can be caused by an increased secretion of fluid or by a disturbed resumption of bowel movements.

Frequently, an imbalance of the gastrointestinal bacteria is the cause, for example due to an infection or antibiotic therapy.

Yellow diarrhea
Diarrhea after eating

Flatulence is often caused by certain foods (beans, etc. ), but can also be an indication of a dysfunction of the intestinal bacteria or a disease of the digestive tract.

In gastrointestinal infections, for example, the bacteria in the intestine produce particularly large amounts of gases during digestion, which causes flatulence. However, chronic inflammation of the intestine (for example, due to ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease, tumors) can also cause flatulence and changes in the color of the bowel movements. Abdominal pain is a very general symptom, which in many cases can indicate a disturbance of the digestion.

In connection with yellow bowel movements, one should suspect the cause in the gastrointestinal tract. Food, medication or diseases of the digestive organs can be the cause of the symptoms. The pancreas, liver and bile can also cause abdominal pain and yellow stools.

However, in the case of abdominal pain, the other organs (kidneys, urinary tract, sexual organs, etc.) should also be examined. Not infrequently, abdominal pain also has a psychosomatic (mixture of psychological and physical causes) component (e.g. stress).The next topic might also be of interest to you: Abdominal pain – what to do?

nausea is a very general symptom similar to abdominal pain. If it occurs in connection with yellow bowel movements, it can indicate diseases of the digestive tract. Often nausea is accompanied by vomiting.

Gall-bladder or liver diseases can be indicated by bilious vomiting. Nausea, however, also frequently occurs as a side effect of various medications that can cause a yellowish change in bowel movements. Back pain can originate from the back itself (most often from the muscles), but is also often the result of complaints of the internal organs.

Thus, diseases of the gastrointestinal tract can be noticed not only by yellowish bowel movements, but also by abdominal pain. This pain can radiate into the back or lead to a reactive tension of the back muscles. Our next article could also be interesting for you: Therapy of back pain