Objective To explore the diagnostic value of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (18FFDG) positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) imaging combined with serum carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA19-9) on the recurrence and metastasis of cervical cancer. Methods The clinical data of 62 patients with suspected recurrence and metastasis after radical resection of cervical cancer from January 2015 to January 2018 were analyzed retrospectively. All patients were given 18F-FDG PET/CT examination. Histopathology or follow-up results were regarded as gold standards to evaluate the diagnostic value of PET/CT, serum CA19-9 and combined examination for recurrence and metastasis of cervical cancer and compare the differences. Results The sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of 18F-FDG PET/CT and combined examination for recurrence and metastasis of cervical cancer were higher than those of serum CA19-9 (P<0.05), and they were highly consistent with histopathology or follow-up results (kappa value=0.763, 0.950, P<0.05). Conclusion 18F-FDG PET/CT imaging can clearly and accurately show the recurrence and metastasis of patients with cervical cancer. Serum CA19-9 has high diagnostic value, and can comprehensively evaluate the patients' conditions.