Cluster of extremely rare cancer cases suddenly strikes kids in wealthy SoCal city

A cluster of diagnoses involving an extremely rare form of cancer has left families in an affluent Orange County community searching for answers after multiple children were diagnosed with the same disease.

Families in Ladera Ranch say at least six children from the area have been diagnosed with Ewing sarcoma, a rare bone and soft tissue cancer that affects only about 200 to 240 children and teenagers nationwide each year, according to the American Cancer Society.

Among them was 17-year-old Brody Matteson, who died after battling the disease.

“He was an outdoor kid. There was a time to be outside, that was Brody,” his mother, Megan Matteson, told NBC Los Angeles. “He was out on his bike, out at the park. They were building bike jumps. He was out at all the parks around Ladera.”

Matteson said her son’s ordeal began shortly before his 16th birthday when he complained of persistent back pain. Doctors later discovered the cancer had developed on his spine.

“The Ewing Sarcoma was on his spine. It was on L4,” she told the network. “The hard part of having Ewing on your spine, you can’t do surgery.

“He fought from August of 2024 until July 2025,” she added. Brody died in March.

After losing her son, Matteson said she was contacted by several other Ladera Ranch families whose children had also been diagnosed with Ewing sarcoma, raising concerns that the cases could be connected.

“To have three families that just contacted me right away after Brody was diagnosed was helpful but scary at the same time,” she told NBCLA.

The families say they have no proof of what may be behind the diagnoses but are urging officials to examine whether pesticides used throughout the community could be a factor.

Research has explored a possible association between pesticide exposure and Ewing sarcoma, but scientists have not established a direct causal link.

“We cannot say that this is what’s causing it,” attorney AttorneyJackie French told NBC Los Angeles. “We feel like there’s a larger number of cancer cases in Ladera than normal, and in looking at the pesticide use, it does seem like it’s more than normal in Ladera.”

Dozens of concerned residents packed a homeowners association meeting Wednesday night, where families pushed for changes to landscaping and pest-control practices.

“We felt like we got some positive feedback that they’re going to be willing to work with us,” Brody’s father, Dustin Matteson, told the network after the meeting.

“Maybe put together an advisory board with some local citizens to work along with the landscaping board to work towards a more integrated pest management program, meaning organic and getting away from synthetic pesticides that we know aren’t great for us.”

Orange County health officials said an initial review of cancer data has not identified any clear pattern among the reported cases.

However, officials said they plan to conduct another review in the coming weeks following continued concerns from residents.

Ewing sarcoma is a rare and aggressive cancer that typically develops in the bones or surrounding soft tissue. It primarily affects children, teenagers and young adults, especially during puberty.

Early symptoms often include persistent bone or joint pain that may worsen at night, swelling or a lump near the affected area, unexplained fever or fatigue, and, in some cases, a bone fracture that occurs with little or no injury.

“Our goal as Brody’s parents, and I know what Brody would want. Brody would want us to fight for the other kids,” Megan Matteson told NBCLA.

NBC Los Angeles reported that it sought comment from the Ladera Ranch homeowners association’s general manager but had not received a response before publication.

The California Post has also reached out to Ladera Ranch HOA General Manager Dave Gibson for comment.

Download The California Post App, follow us on social, and subscribe to our newsletters