Further analysis from the TCGA-THCA database showed that the high expression of S100A9 and MMP9 was correlated with advanced lymph node metastasis (pN stage), distant metastasis (pM stage) and overall TNM stage (<i>P < 0.05</i>).<h4>Conclusion</h4>CDK1, B3GNT7, S100A9, and MMP9 were independent risk factors for poor prognosis in thyroid cancer. The gene discussed is MMP9; the disease is metastatic malignant neoplasm in the lymph nodes.