Sixty-six patients with recurrent or metastatic cervical cancer were treated with two different chemotherapy regimens in the last 11 years. Thirty-three patients received weekly low-dose methotrexate (MTX) regimen A and the other 33 patients were treated with a combination of adriamycin and MTX, regimen B. Response rates were 15.2% and 42.4% with regimens A and B respectively (P = 0.014). Symptomatic relief, duration of response and median survival were similar in both groups. General and haematological toxicities were higher including one toxic death with regimen B. Considering the quality of remaining life of the patient low dose MTX is preferred for the treatment of symptomatic recurrent and metastatic cervical cancer.