Galectin-3 positive rate in these four groups was 52.58% (nodular goiter), 48.15% (follicular adenoma), 97.17% (papillary thyroid carcinoma without lymphatic metastasis) and 96.37% (papillary thyroid carcinoma with lymphatic metastasis), respectively. This evidence concerns the gene LGALS3 and follicular thyroid adenoma.