1. Pay attention to the shape of the enlarged thyroid gland. The shape of enlarged thyroid gland is generally divided into two categories, one is butterfly-shaped, mostly seen in patients with endemic goiter, thyroiditis and some hyperthyroidism; the other is a round lump in a part of the thyroid gland, mostly seen in thyroid cysts, thyroid adenomas and also thyroid cancer. 2. Pay attention to the size of the lump. If the lump is diffusely enlarged or multiple nodular enlargement, it is mostly endemic goiter; generally, the diameter of a single nodule of benign tumor or cyst is about 2 cm; if the diameter exceeds 2 cm, thyroid cancer should be suspected. 3. Pay attention to the smoothness and softness of the lump. Touch the surface of the lump carefully with the thumb and index finger. If the surface is smooth and uniform, it is mostly endemic goiter; if the surface is not very smooth, it is more likely to be caused by thyroiditis; if the surface is smooth and uniform, it may be adenoma; if the surface is smooth and uniform, it may be adenoma; if the surface of a single nodule is swollen, it is not smooth and has a solid feeling, it should be suspected to be cancer. 4. Pay attention to the growth rate of the lump. Local enlargement of the thyroid gland is slow and can last for several years or even decades; benign tumors and cysts can last for several months to several years; thyroid cancer lumps grow significantly and faster, and can increase significantly within ten days or one or two months. 5. Pay attention to whether lymph nodes can be palpated around the lump. If hard lymph nodes can be touched in the neck around the thyroid gland, it should be highly suspected that the thyroid gland is accompanied by local lymph node metastasis.