Erlotinib in Treating Patients With Persistent or Recurrent Cancer of the Cervix

Inclusion Criteria:

* Histologically confirmed squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the cervix

  * Persistent or recurrent progressive disease
  * At least 1 prior systemic chemotherapy regimen for management of advanced, metastatic, or recurrent SCC of the cervix is required

    * Chemotherapy administered as a radiosensitizer in conjunction with radiotherapy does not count as a systemic chemotherapy regimen
* At least 1 unidimensionally measurable target lesion

  * At least 20 mm by conventional techniques OR at least 10 mm by spiral CT scan
  * Lesions within a previously irradiated field are considered nontarget lesions unless disease progression or persistence is confirmed ≥ 90 days after completion of radiotherapy
* Tumor accessible for repeat needle biopsy
* Ineligible for a higher priority Gynecologic Oncology Group (GOG) protocol (any active GOG phase III protocol for the same patient population)
* Performance status - GOG 0-2 (for patients who have received only 1 prior regimen)
* Performance status - GOG 0-1 (for patients who have received 2 prior regimens)
* Platelet count at least 100,000/mm\^3
* Absolute neutrophil count at least 1,500/mm\^3
* Bilirubin no greater than upper limit of normal (ULN)
* SGOT no greater than 2.5 times ULN
* Alkaline phosphatase no greater than 2.5 times ULN
* Creatinine no greater than 1.5 times ULN
* No symptomatic congestive heart failure
* No unstable angina pectoris
* No cardiac arrhythmia
* No abnormalities of the cornea (e.g., dry eye syndrome or Sjogren's syndrome)
* No congenital abnormalities (e.g., Fuch's dystrophy)
* No abnormal slit-lamp examination using a vital dye (e.g., fluorescein or Bengal-Rose)
* No abnormal corneal sensitivity test (Schirmer test or similar tear production test)
* No other invasive malignancy within the past 5 years except nonmelanoma skin cancer
* No uncontrolled concurrent illness
* No ongoing or active infection requiring IV antibiotics
* No psychiatric illness or social situation that would preclude study compliance
* No grade 2 or greater sensory or motor neuropathy
* No prior allergic reactions attributed to compounds of similar chemical or biological composition to erlotinib
* Not pregnant or nursing
* Negative pregnancy test
* Fertile patients must use effective contraception
* HIV negative
* At least 3 weeks since prior immunologic therapy for SCC of the cervix
* One additional prior cytotoxic chemotherapy regimen for recurrent or persistent disease allowed
* At least 3 weeks since prior chemotherapy for SCC of the cervix and recovered
* No prior non-cytotoxic chemotherapy for recurrent or persistent disease
* At least 3 weeks since prior hormonal therapy for SCC of the cervix
* At least 3 weeks since prior radiotherapy for SCC of the cervix and recovered
* Recovered from recent prior surgery
* At least 3 weeks since other prior therapy for SCC of the cervix
* No prior epidermal growth factor receptor-targeting therapies
* No prior anticancer treatment that would preclude study participation
* No other concurrent investigational or commercial agents or therapies for SCC of the cervix