Benign thyroid nodules generally do not affect life expectancy, while the life expectancy of patients with malignant thyroid nodules varies widely and can last from a few years to several decades. There are several types of thyroid nodules. Benign thyroid nodules generally do not affect the life expectancy of patients, but if they are too large, involve surrounding tissues and organs, or have the potential to become malignant, they need to be treated with surgery. Malignant thyroid nodules are treated with a comprehensive treatment based on surgery. Due to their different degrees of malignancy, patients’ life expectancy varies, for example, the 10-year survival rate of papillary thyroid cancer is over 90%, while undifferentiated thyroid cancer has a very poor prognosis with an average life expectancy of 3-5 months. Once thyroid nodules are found, they should be seen in general surgery, head and neck surgery and other related departments, and effective treatment should be taken in time after clear diagnosis through ultrasound examination and pathological examination.