5. Loss of Appetite

Feeling full after eating very little—a condition called early satiety—can occur when a tumor presses on the stomach or when digestive function is impaired.

What to notice: You’re not hungry. You take a few bites and feel uncomfortably full. Foods you once loved no longer appeal.

6. Nausea and Vomiting

A tumor pressing on the stomach or small intestine can cause nausea, vomiting, or a general feeling of queasiness after meals.

What to notice: Persistent nausea that doesn’t have an obvious cause (like a stomach bug) and doesn’t resolve.

7. Changes in Stool

The pancreas produces enzymes that help digest fat. When this function is compromised, you may notice:

  • Floating stools that are difficult to flush

  • Pale, greasy, foul-smelling stools (steatorrhea)

  • Diarrhea or constipation that persists

What to notice: Changes in bowel habits that last for weeks without explanation.

8. Gallbladder or Liver Enlargement

Sometimes the first sign is discovered during a physical exam—an enlarged gallbladder or liver. In some cases, the gallbladder can be felt as a mass (Courvoisier’s sign).

What to notice: A sense of fullness or a palpable lump in the upper right abdomen.