Objective To investigate the expressions of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), bcl-2, and c-myc protein, and to explore diagnostic value of DNA ploidy in benign and malignant thyroid neoplasms. Methods The expressions of PCNA, bcl-2 and c-myc proteins in 36 cases of thyroid adenomas and 37 cases of thyroid carcinomas were examined by immunohistochemistry technique. DNA ploidy was measured by imaging analysis technique in 8 cases of thyroid adenomas and 17 cases of thyroid carcinomas. Results Among thyroid carcinomas, the positive rates of PCNA (43.02?31.16)% and c-myc protein 89.2% were significantly higher than those of thyroid adenomas (16.15?9.28)% and 50.0% respectively (both P