TSPAN1 and neoplasm: Because of GO and KEGG analyses of TM4SF genes showed that these genes may promote LNM of PTC by regulating pathways including “integrins and other cell-surface receptors,” “Fibrinolysis Pathway,” “Focal adhesion,” and functions including “immune system processes,” “regulation of localization,” “movement of cell or subcellular,” “extracellular space”, which suggested that TM4SF genes probably be closely related to tumor microenvironment (TME) and immune function, we speculated that these four genes may affect the prognosis by regulating TME and immune function.