Can an ovarian tumor cause SEVERE lower, night-time back pain?

[amyd1970]

Because of recent lower back pain, I had an MRI a few weeks ago:

my MRI showed
1) worsening of my degenerative disk disease
2) abnormal signal intensity between L4 & L5 – suspicious of Diskitis
    o  negative CRP and ESR
3)  incidental finding of large (>7 cm) ovarian cysts, multiloculated, bilaterally – suspicious for possible solid areas on right ovary
    o  Had transvaginal ultrasound
    o  Tumor markers, while not "negative" did not concern my GYN

Turns out, I have an ovarian tumor (unsure if benign or malignant) on left ovary.  I'm having surgery on 10/5 (tomorrow!) to remove tumor and ovary and to have biopsies done. (surgery will be performed by my new GYN, NOT a GYN/ONC)  I think that the odds are in my favor that it will be benign, but of course I still have some concerns that is could be malignant.  

My problem is that while I'm thankful that the tumor was found and they are being aggressive about it, I'm still in horrendous pain at night from the lower back pain.  Could an ovarian tumor such as I described - malignant or benign - be the culprit for such pain?

more info:
Severe lower back pain:  has gotten progressively worse over last 2 – 3 months;   with the past 2- 3 weeks really affecting sleep, pain with sneezing, etc.
      o Mostly VERY low-back:  radiating to hips; very recently radiates to mid-back (~7 days)
      o Much worse at night – cannot turn over; keeps me awake or wakes me up
      o Sneezing makes me (literally) fall to floor
      o Have lost control of bladder 3 times in past month

As stated by MRI, I have degenerative disk disease as well.  That was diagnosed a few years ago.  So I’ve had severe back pain before, but not this type, not this severe, and not at night – it was usually relieved by rest or laying down.  This is what it driving me insane.   I'm hoping that perhaps the tumor is leaning on a nerve in there or something and the surgery will help.  The the GYN is NOT convinced this is the case, but will not say one way or another.

My back pain seems to have been put on the back burner and I'm not sure what to do.  It has become unbearable.

Does anyone have any suggestions, or similar stories?  What does "abnormal signal intensity" mean?

Thanks in advance,
amy

[amyd1970]

thank you both.  i'm about to head to the hospital for the surgery today...  i will let you know how it turns out...  i'm excited and nervous all at the same time!

amy

[singn77]

Hi Amy. I am very sorry for your troubles.  I had severe lower back pain upon standing or when waking before my ovarian cyst was removed early this year. Mine was almost 6cm. I too have back problems and never even considered that this new pain I was feeling was related to my cyst until I realized the pain was gone a few days after surgery. I pray that everything turns out to be benign and the surgery tomorrow helps to alleviate your back pain. Good luck to you.

[Ramsay14]

Yes, ovarian tumors can cause low back pain.  It's really hard to know if the tumors are causing the pain or just contributing to the pain because of the degenerative disk disease.