The thyroid gland is a small butterfly-shaped organ located in front of the trachea and is an important endocrine organ in the human body. It has been described as the “engine of the body”, controlling the metabolic activities of the body and affecting every part of the body. Thyroid disorders are the second most common diseases of the endocrine system, including thyroid adenoma, nodular goiter, thyroid cancer, hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, and thyroiditis. How can thyroid disorders be detected early? First of all, if a swelling other than the thyroid cartilage and cricoid cartilage is felt or seen in the front of the neck, the possibility of thyroid disease should be considered. Therefore, if you suspect a thyroid disorder, you should visit a thyroid specialist at a hospital to get a clear diagnosis and treatment. Thyroid tumors are divided into two categories: benign and malignant. 1. Thyroid tumor: It is a common benign tumor of the thyroid gland. Pathologically, there are two types of cystic adenomas: follicular and papillary. Mostly seen in women under 40 years old, patients occasionally have a lump in the neck. The tumor is mostly solitary, with a smooth, soft, non-pressure surface that moves up and down with swallowing activity. Treatment requires resection of most or all of the thyroid lobes on the affected side, and the specimen should be sent to pathology for clear diagnosis. 2.Thyroid cancer: Among thyroid malignant tumors, adenocarcinoma accounts for the majority, about 1% of all cancers, and can occur in children under 10 years old to centenarians. A lump found in the thyroid gland with a hard and firm texture and an uneven surface is a common manifestation of all types of cancer. If local lymph nodes are enlarged or symptoms of pressure on surrounding organs appear, or if a thyroid lump exists for many years and increases rapidly in a short period of time, thyroid cancer should be suspected and the diagnosis depends on pathology. Surgical resection is the main treatment for all types of thyroid cancer except undifferentiated cancer. Hyperthyroidism Hyperthyroidism (hyperthyroidism for short) is a common endocrine disease. Hyperthyroidism is a common endocrine disorder caused by excessive secretion of thyroid hormones, resulting in hyper-metabolism and disturbance of the vegetative nervous system. It can be divided into primary hyperthyroidism, secondary hyperthyroidism, and hyperfunctional adenoma. The clinical manifestations of hyperthyroidism include hypersensitivity, agitation, palpitations, fatigue, tachycardia, weight loss, hyperphagia, fear of heat, excessive sweating, increased frequency of stools, and menstrual irregularities. Laboratory tests for T3 and T4 are often elevated. Sometimes T4 is normal and T3 is elevated, which is called T3 hyperthyroidism. Mild hyperthyroidism can be treated with medication, while moderate to severe hyperthyroidism requires surgery. Nodular goiter, also known as adenomatous goiter, is actually a multiple nodule formed in the late stages of endemic goiter and sporadic goiter, with an incidence of up to 4%. Nodular goiter is a diffuse enlargement of the thyroid gland caused by the patient’s long-term exposure to iodine deficiency or relative iodine deficiency and goiter-causing substances, and is actually a late manifestation of the natural evolution of simple goiter. In patients with nodular goiter, some of the nodules may develop autonomic function, called toxic nodular goiter or Plummer’s disease. In some nodular goiters, embryonal adenomas or papillary adenomas may form due to excessive proliferation of epithelial cells, or thyroid cancer may develop. Therefore, nodular goiter requires surgical treatment.