Emerging data reveal that epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) can act as efficacy indicators for tumor treatment. Here, the association between EGFR R497K (rs11543848) and -216G/T (rs712829) SNPs and radiochemotherapy response in cervical cancer was investigated. EGFR R497K and -216G/T genotypes were analyzed by polymerase chain reaction-ligation detection reaction in 196 cervical cancer patients receiving radiotherapy alone, or in combination with chemotherapy. Compared with the 497G/G genotype, the A/A genotype significantly increased sensitivity to radiochemotherapy treatment (adjusted OR = 0.244, 95% CI = 0.087-0.680). Sensitivity to radiochemotherapy was not significantly different in carriers of the 'T' allele than that measured for the -216G/G genotype (adjusted OR = 2.412, 95% CI = 0.856-6.979). Additionally, the 497A/A genotype conferred a reduced risk of recurrence or metastasis than did the G/G genotype (adjusted OR = 0.248, 95% CI = 0.078-0.786, P < 0.05). Moreover, carriers of the 'T' allele did not have significantly modified risk of recurrence or metastasis compared with those with the -216G/G genotype (adjusted OR = 1.027, 95% CI = 0.324-3.253). Multivariate analysis revealed an association between clinical stage and treatment response (adjusted OR = 3.575, 95% CI = 1.662-7.692) and between age and the risk of recurrence or metastasis (adjusted OR = 0.319, 95% CI = 0.148-0.691). Our results show that, in patients with cervical cancer, the R497K polymorphism is correlated with treatment response and the risk of recurrence or metastasis. The R497K SNP might be a genetic marker for prediction of radiochemotherapy response and the risk of recurrence and/or metastasis in patients with cervical cancer.