Abstract Smaller improvements in survival rates among
adolescent patients with cancer relative to their pediatric and older adult counterparts are indicative of a need for greater research pertaining to their unique illness experi-ence. Most recent studies focus on and implicate adolescent patients’ distinct cancer biology and unmet needs for spe-cialized treatment as likely explanations, but adolescent patients differ in other ways as well, namely in their intra-and interpersonal contexts, or social ecology. Providing better treatment for adolescent cancer patients requires a better understanding of how their social ecology influences and is influenced by their illness. This narrative review provides evidence to support the need for adolescent-specific research focused on the interaction between ado-lescent patients’ cancer experience, their developmental life stage, and the primary relationships within their family unit and healthcare settings. A brief overview of the rele-vance of each social ecological context is provided, and important considerations for future research efforts and interventions are presented. Conclusions encourage researchers to include adolescent cancer patients’ social ecology in their investigations and clinical trials so as to offer this patient cohort the best care possible and eliminate their lag in survival rates. Keywords Adolescents Cancer Social ecology Development Caregivers Families Healthcare