Pemetrexed and Cisplatin in Treating Patients With Advanced, Persistent, or Recurrent Cervical Cancer

Inclusion criteria

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: * Histologically confirmed squamous or nonsquamous cell carcinoma of the cervix * Advanced, persistent, or recurrent disease * Disease not amenable to curative therapy * Measurable disease, defined as ≥ 1 unidimensionally measurable lesion ≥ 20 mm by conventional techniques or ≥ 10 mm by spiral CT scan * Must have ≥ 1 target lesion to be used to assess response * Tumors within a previously irradiated field will be designated as non-target lesions unless progression is documented or a biopsy is obtained to confirm persistence ≥ 90 days following completion of radiotherapy PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: * GOG performance status 0-2 * Platelet count ≥ 100,000/mm\^3 * ANC ≥ 1,500/mm\^3 * Bilirubin ≤ 1.5 times upper limit of normal (ULN) * Creatinine clearance ≥ 60 mL/min * SGOT ≤ 2.5 times ULN (≤ 5 times ULN if due to hepatic metastases) * Alkaline phosphatase ≤ 2.5 times ULN (≤ 5 times ULN if due to hepatic metastases) * Negative pregnancy test * Fertile patients must use effective contraception * Neuropathy (sensory and motor) ≤ grade 1 * Able to take folic acid, vitamin B12, and dexamethasone according to study protocol * No history of other invasive malignancies within the past 5 years, except nonmelanoma skin cancer * No active infection requiring antibiotics with the exception of uncomplicated UTI * No presence of third space fluid which cannot be controlled by drainage PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: * Recovered from effects of recent surgery, radiotherapy, or other therapy * At least 1 week since prior hormonal therapy directed at the malignant tumor * At least 4 weeks since prior radiotherapy * More than 3 years since prior radiotherapy for localized cancer of the breast, head and neck, or skin and patient remains free of recurrent or metastatic disease * No prior radiotherapy to any portion of the abdominal cavity or pelvis except for the treatment of cervical cancer * No prior radiotherapy to more than 25% of marrow-bearing areas * No prior cancer treatment that contraindicates study treatment * No prior cytotoxic drugs for advanced or recurrent carcinoma of the cervix * Prior cisplatin as a radiosensitizer for primary treatment of disease allowed * No nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or salicylates 2-5 days before, during, or for 2 days after receiving pemetrexed disodium * No NSAIDS with a long half-life (e.g., naproxen, piroxicam, diflunisal, or nabumetone) 5 days before, during, and for 2 days after receiving pemetrexed disodium * Concurrent hormone replacement therapy is permitted * Concurrent daily low-dose acetylsalicylic acid therapy (≤ 325 mg/day) allowed * Concurrent use of acetylsalicylic acid (up to 1.3 g/day) allowed