Robot-Assisted Prostate Cancer Surgery Linked to Faster Work Recovery

PROSTATE CANCER treatment may influence work participation outcomes. Evidence suggests faster return-to-work and lower long-term absenteeism following robot-assisted surgery compared with open procedures, according to a new systematic review.  

Prostate Cancer Treatment May Influence Return to Work 

The review examined quantitative evidence on work participation after prostate cancer treatment, analysing 28 articles representing 24 studies and 39,966 men. 

Researchers assessed studies that investigated return-to-work (RTW), absenteeism, employment status, and work ability following prostate cancer treatment.  

Across 11 studies reporting RTW outcomes, most men resumed employment within 2 months of treatment.  

Median time to return to work ranged from 14 to 56 days, although substantial variation existed between studies and treatment approaches. 

Robot-assisted radical prostatectomy was associated with a faster RTW than open procedures, with one studying finding a median RTW time of 35 days following robot-assisted surgery compared with 48 days after open surgery. 

However, the only randomised controlled trial included in the review reported no significant difference in RTW between treatment groups, highlighting the limited availability of high-quality comparative evidence. 

Absenteeism Varies by Disease Severity 

Eleven studies examined work absence after prostate cancer treatment.  

Median durations of absenteeism ranged from fewer than 14 days to more than 50 days. Longer absences were generally observed following open surgery compared with robot-assisted procedures, radiotherapy or active surveillance. 

One study reported lower odds of long-term sick leave following robot-assisted surgery. 

Other studies found that physically demanding occupations and more advanced disease were associated with prolonged work absence. 

The review also identified demographic and clinical factors linked to poorer work outcomes, including older age, greater comorbidity burden, treatment related side effects, and advanced disease stage. 

Evidence Gaps Remain 

Despite growing interest in survivorship outcomes, the authors identified important limitations across the evidence base. 

Most studies were observational, many relied on self-reported measures, and adjustment for potential confounding factors was often inadequate. 

Notably, no studies evaluated outcomes according to occupation, leaving uncertainty about how specific job demands influence recovery and sustained employment after prostate cancer treatment. 

The researchers concluded that work participation following prostate cancer treatment appears to vary according to treatment type and disease severity.  

However, methodological limitations, substantial heterogeneity, and very low certainty evidence restrict firm conclusions.  

Further standardised, validated work participation measures and more rigorous research may be needed to better understand and inform treatment decisions, survivorship care, and workplace support for patients undergoing prostate cancer treatment. 

Reference 

Tomic D et al. The Impact of Prostate Cancer Treatment on Work Participation: A Systematic Review. J Occup Rehabil. 2026;DOI:10.1007/s10926-026-10435-2 

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