سولماز موسوی

Cancer has traditionally been conceptualized as a solely somatic disease; however, emerging evidence underscores the extent to which its treatment and lived experience are profoundly mediated by spatial factors. This study undertakes a qualitative meta-synthesis of interdisciplinary literature to critically examine how diverse spatial environments—architectural, relational, ecological, and symbolic—constitute integral dimensions of cancer care. Drawing on empirical and theoretical contributions from psycho-oncology, environmental psychology, nursing science, and therapeutic design, the analysis advances the argument that space operates not as a passive setting but as an active co-constituent shaping physiological, psychological, and existential outcomes. The synthesis reveals that therapeutic architecture, relational closeness, ecological embeddedness, and symbolic spatial cues significantly affect patient well-being, caregiver capacity, and the efficacy of care delivery systems. These findings challenge the prevailing biomedical paradigms that marginalize spatial determinants and instead support the adoption of a relational-material framework for understanding and enhancing care. Spatial dimensions of healing—encompassing safety, familiarity, identity reinforcement, and continuity—are shown to promote resilience and agency, particularly within vulnerable settings such as home-based palliative care and survivorship programs. The paper concludes by emphasizing the imperative for spatial literacy within oncology education, practice, and policy. It calls for a reconceptualization of care environments that bridges the gap between empirical insights and clinical implementation, thereby advancing a model of cancer care that is ethically grounded and spatially responsive.