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