Medical Intel

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the U.S., and this virus is behind a surge in head and neck cancers among young people. Dr. Matthew Pierce discusses who is at risk, warning signs and how we treat these cancers.   TRANSCRIPT Intro: MedStar Washington Hospital Center presents Medical Intel where our healthcare team shares health and wellness insights and gives you the inside story on advances in medicine. Host: Thank you for joining us today. We’re talking with Dr. Matthew Pierce, an otolaryngologist and head and neck surgeon at MedStar Washington Hospital Center. Welcome, Dr. Pierce. Dr. Pierce: Thank you. Thanks for having me. Host: The human papillomavirus, or HPV, is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections. In most people, the virus courses through the body and leaves without causing any health problems, though HPV is known to cause cervical cancer in women.  However, men and women in their 30s and 40s are developing head and neck cancers at an