Capecitabine in Treating Patients With Advanced, Persistent, or Recurrent Cervical Cancer

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

* Histologically confirmed advanced, persistent, or recurrent squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix

  * Documented disease progression after local therapy and considered incurable
* At least 1 target lesion measurable in at least 1 dimension

  * At least 20 mm by conventional techniques, including palpation, plain x-ray, CT scan, or MRI OR at least 10 mm by spiral CT scan
  * Target lesion cannot be in a previously irradiated field

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

Age:

* Any age

Performance status:

* GOG 0-2

Life expectancy:

* Not specified

Hematopoietic:

* Absolute neutrophil count at least 1,500/mm\^3
* Platelet count at least 100,000/mm\^3

Hepatic:

* Bilirubin no greater than 1.5 times upper limit of normal (ULN)
* SGOT no greater than 2.5 times ULN
* Alkaline phosphatase no greater than 2.5 times ULN

Renal:

* Creatinine clearance at least 50 mL/min

Other:

* Not pregnant
* Negative pregnancy test
* Fertile patients must use effective contraception
* No active infection requiring antibiotics
* No other invasive malignancy within the past 5 years except nonmelanoma skin cancer
* No neuropathy (sensory and motor) greater than grade I

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

Biologic therapy:

* At least 3 weeks since prior biologic therapy or immunotherapy for the malignant tumor
* No concurrent prophylactic filgrastim (G-CSF)

Chemotherapy:

* At least 3 weeks since prior chemotherapy for the malignant tumor and recovered
* No prior cytotoxic therapy (except when used as a radiosensitizer)
* No prior chemotherapy for other malignancy

Endocrine therapy:

* At least 1 week since prior hormonal therapy for the malignant tumor
* Concurrent hormone replacement therapy allowed

Radiotherapy:

* See Disease Characteristics
* At least 3 weeks since prior radiotherapy for the malignant tumor and recovered
* No prior radiotherapy for other malignancy

Surgery:

* Recovered from prior surgery

Other:

* At least 3 weeks since any other prior therapy for the malignant tumor
* No prior anticancer therapy that contraindicates study therapy
* No concurrent amifostine or other protective reagents