Ashima Sharda Mahindra • 27 Jan 2025
What Does a Black-coloured Stool Indicate? Do Not Ignore This Sign of Stomach Cancer
The blood turns black and tarry while traveling through your GI tract from higher up
If you notice your poop is black in colour or tarry, it might be due to something as simple as a change in your diet or a sign of a dreaded stomach cancer. Even if you think you know why it is happening, always call your doctor if you have black, tarry stools.
According to experts, also known as melena-black stools come from bleeding in your upper gastrointestinal tract and are a sign of older blood in your poop. “Black stool indicates bleeding from the upper gastrointestinal tract, such as the esophagus, stomach, and first part of the small intestine or duodenum,” Dr. Mohit Saxena, Consultant and Head of Department, Medical Oncology, Manipal Hospital, told Times Now.
The blood turns black and tarry while travelling through your GI tract from higher up, where it started—usually in your stomach or upper small intestine. Digestive chemicals interact with the blood during its journey, changing its colour and texture.
Black stool is an early sign of stomach cancer. According to Dr. Saxena, you must not ignore and contact your doctor immediately for further tests. “Black stool can be a sign of underlying malignancy like stomach cancer or esophageal cancer. It should not be ignored, and the patient should consult healthcare provider for prompt evaluation, including blood investigations, imaging like barium studies or CT scans, upper gastrointestinal and biopsy of a suspicious lesion,” he said.
Other possible causes of melena
According to Dr. Saxena, melena can also come to your lower esophagus if you swallow the blood. Rarely, it might be from your lower small bowel or upper large bowel, if your bowels move very slowly. Causes of upper GI bleeding and melena may include:
- Peptic ulcer disease
- Gastritis or Esophagitis
- Gastrointestinal perforation
- Esophageal tear
- Esophageal or Gastric varices
- Esophageal, stomach, or periampullary cancer
- Viral hemorrhagic fever
- Iron supplements
- Activated charcoal
Other symptoms of black stool that may indicate stomach cancer
A few other signs and symptoms can be a clue to what is causing the bleeding or where it is coming from, like:
Abdominal pain
It is an early warning sign of any condition, like an ulcer, gastritis, gastropathy, or even stomach cancer.
Vomiting or bleeding
Some people also vomit blood. According to experts, fresh, red blood in your vomit suggests an active bleed in your stomach or esophagus. Dark brown, textured blood that looks like coffee grounds is older and suggests the bleeding has stopped.
Other symptoms of stomach cancer
With stomach cancer, also known as gastric cancer, cancer cells grow out of control in your stomach. Doctors say most cases of stomach cancer involve abnormal cell growth in the place where your stomach meets your esophagus. A few common signs and symptoms of stomach cancer include:
- Loss of appetite
- Trouble swallowing
- Fatigue
- Unexplained weight loss
- Heartburn and indigestion
- Always feeling bloated and gassy after eating
- Feeling full even after eating a small meal or snack
What are the risk factors for stomach cancer?
A few modifiable risk factors, according to Dr. Saxena, include:
- Smoking
- Processed food
- Smoked food or meat
- Physical inactivity
- Alcohol
- Obesity
- Age
- Family history
- Pernicious Anaemia
- H. pylori infection
- Genetic predisposition
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