Forty-nine consecutive patients with metastatic or recurrent endometrial carcinoma were treated with a monthly combination chemotherapy consisting of VP 16-213 80 mg/m2 i.v. Days 1-3, 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) 600 mg/m2 i.v. Days 1-3, and cisplatin 35 mg/m2 i.v. Days 1-3. The objective response rate was 41% (95% CI, 27-54%) with 14.3% complete responses. The median survival duration was 14 months. The median response duration was 12 months. The estimated median survival for responders was 20 months. Three patients are still free of disease 5 years after treatment. The major toxic effects were myelosuppression (less than 25% of grade III and IV leucopenia, and 14% grade III and IV thrombocytopenia). Grade III peripheral neuropathy was observed in five patients. Cisplatin administration had to be stopped due to renal toxicity in six patients. No treatment-related deaths occurred. The combination of etoposide, 5 fluorouracil, and cisplatin is an effective regimen with an acceptable toxicity in patients with recurrent or metastatic endometrial carcinoma.