The 18 mRNAs were LOC644135, ELN, GULP1, ENSG00000248635, GPM6A, PI15, SGPP2, TMEM200C, CDH3, SELP, CCBE1, IGLV1-44, IGLV2-11, IGLL5, IGHV3-23, IGHV5-51, IGHG2, and CD79A.The risk assessment model could accurately distinguish between low- and high-risk samples for the recurrence of liver cancer after resection, with good prognostic performance. Here, ELN is linked to liver cancer.