Background of the development of microwave ablation of thyroid nodules Although open surgery can treat almost all thyroid nodules, minimally invasive means have become a research hotspot and trend in the field of thyroid surgery, and there has been a controversy about the clinical disposition of thyroid nodules. Some scholars believe that the majority of thyroid nodules are benign, and if the nodules themselves do not lead to clinical symptoms, especially the small nodules, they should be followed up and observed actively. However, embarrassingly, this approach fails to free patients from anxiety and worry about the true nature of the nodule, and patients often have a marked sense of passive waiting and insecurity. Others believe that although the majority of thyroid nodules are benign, there is a potential risk of malignancy, especially when there is localized malignant tissue in some benign nodules, surgical intervention is warranted. However, once the pathology of the nodules after surgery confirms that they are not malignant, the patients will complain when faced with sequelae such as skin scars on their necks or hoarseness, or even lifelong medication. Therefore, research and development of treatment methods that are effective, quick, minimally invasive, and less likely to cause complications will clearly help to resolve this controversy. Introduction to Thyroid Microwave Ablation Nowadays, people are no longer unfamiliar with microwaves, as almost every family owns a microwave oven. Microwaves are self-explanatory, heating up and cooking food. When microwaves propagate through an object rich in moisture, the microwave energy can be converted into heat energy, and this heat energy occurs from within the object, so it is also known as endogenous heat, which is different from heating with a stove fire, which is known as exogenous heat, and warms up the food through heat conduction, which is not only thermally inefficient, but also easy to scorch the surface of the object. The heat-generating property of microwave has been skillfully applied to the treatment of tumors, with more mature applications in microwave ablation of liver tumors, kidney tumors, uterine fibroids and other diseases. Because the treatment process is combined with ultrasound, CT, MRI and other imaging methods, the treatment instrument is made into a very thin puncture needle, there is a hot spot at the tip of the needle, which enters into the tumor to produce heat rapidly and coagulate the tumor. Therefore, it is very precise, with slight trauma and thorough effect. The process of microwave thermal ablation is safe, controllable, uncomplicated, and has almost no complications. Ultrasound-guided microwave ablation treatment for thyroid nodules is less traumatic, highly precise, controllable, with fewer complications and remarkable therapeutic effect, which is a good supplement to traditional open surgery and shows a better prospect of clinical application. Indications of microwave ablation for breast and thyroid diseases Indications (thyroid): various cystic solid thyroid nodules; especially for larger thyroid cysts, nodular goiter, Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, as well as patients with advanced thyroid cancer, metastatic cervical lymph nodes, and goiter that cannot tolerate surgery; Indications (breast): breast fibroma, plasma cell mastitis, Postoperative liver metastases and lung metastases from breast cancer.