Abstract: Objective 　To investigate the difference of Galectin-3 expression in papillary thyroid carcinoma especially the early phase and benign thyroid diseases, then determine the clinical significance of Galectin-3. Methods 　The hundred and twenty-nine samples of resected thyroid nodules were examined by En vision immunohistochemical technique to detect the expression of Galectin-3. Results 　The expression rate of Galectin23 was 83. 3 % in thyroid papillary micro-carcinoma and 77. 8 % in atypical hyperplasia, 30. 9 % in nodular goiter, 43. 7 % in adenoma and 16. 1 % in thyroiditis. The positive expression rate of Galectin-3 in the early phase of papillary thyroid carcinoma was higher than in benign thyroid diseases. Conclusion The difference of Galectin-3 expression between the early phase of papillary thyroid carcinoma and benign thyroid diseases were statistically significant . The detection of Galection-3 may conduce to the diagnose of papillary thyroid carcinoma in the early phase.