ObjectiveTo investigate the quality of life (QoL) of patients with differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) after surgery and analyze its relevant influencing factors. MethodsThe patients with DTC who underwent surgical resection in the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from December 1, 2021 to October 1, 2023 were investigated through the postoperative follow-up platform and follow-up management group. The postoperative QoL of DTC patients were evaluate using the Chinese version of the Thyroid Cancer Specific Quality of Life Questionnaire (THYCA-QoL) specific scale and the Chinese version of the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) developed a quality of life questionnaire consisting of 30 items (QLQ-C30). The higher overall average score of THYCA-QoL scale, the more clinical symptoms of patients, namely the negative QoL. The higher the EORTC QLQ-C30 overall health status score, the better QoL. In addition, multiple linear regression was used to explore the risk factors affecting the postoperative specific QoL score of DTC patients. ResultsA total of 1 076 patients’ questionnaires were collected. The EORTC QLQ-C30 overall health status score of 1 076 patients was 67±22 and the THYCA-QoL overall score was 22±13. The results of multivariate linear regression analysis showed that the early postoperative period (<6 months), male, age, without postoperative lifetime medication and without postoperative iodine-131 radiotherapy had negative effects on the overall score of THYCA-QoL scale (P<0.05), meanwhile the early postoperative period (<6 months) or later (≥12 months), without postoperative lifetime medication and without postoperative iodine-131 radiotherapy had positive effects on the overall health status score of EORTC QLQ-C30 (P<0.05). ConclusionsEORTC QLQ-C30 combined with THYCA-QoL can evaluate not only the common symptoms of cancer, but also the specific symptoms of thyroid cancer after surgery. And understanding the factors affecting the QoL of patients with thyroid cancer after surgery could provide targeted and supportive treatment and nursing for discharged patients to improve the QoL of patients with thyroid cancer after surgery.