Executive summary

This study compared work outcomes in patients with stage II-IVB squamous cell oropharyngeal cancer (OPC), randomized to intensity-modulated proton (IMPT) versus intensity-modulated photon therapy (IMRT) for chemoradiation therapy (CRT).

Using the work productivity and activity impairment questionnaire at baseline (pre-CRT), at the end of CRT, and at 6 months, 1 year, and 2 years, this study reported an Increasing proportion of patients resumed working after IMPT, from 60% (40 of 67) pre-CRT and 71% (30 of 42) at 1 year to 78% (18 of 23) at 2 years (P = 0.025). By 2 years after CRT, IMPT demonstrated increasing work and productivity recovery trends(P = 0.06).
 

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