Papillary thyroid cancer is the least malignant thyroid cancer with the best prognosis, but whether to choose total thyroidectomy for thyroid surgery needs to be combined with other indications, and the scope of surgery should not be determined solely on the basis of papillary carcinoma with calcification. Lobectomy of the thyroid gland is feasible only if all of the following conditions are met: the mass is <1 cm in diameter and has not invaded outside the thyroid gland and has no distant metastasis; the patient has no history of radiation to the neck; and there is no combination of other undesirable pathologic types. Other than that, total or subtotal thyroidectomy should be performed. Postoperative iodine 131 treatment is also routinely required. Aggressive surgical treatment of papillary thyroid cancer is often effective and has a favorable prognosis. If the diagnosis of papillary thyroid cancer with severe calcification is confirmed, the patient should actively seek medical treatment and be guided by professional physicians to formulate the best surgical plan for treatment.