Erlotinib in Treating Patients With Solid Tumors and Liver or Kidney Dysfunction

Inclusion Criteria: * Histologically confirmed solid tumor, including gliomas and the following epithelial malignancies: * Non-small cell lung * Mesothelioma * Breast * Head and neck * Esophageal * Pancreatic * Bladder * Prostate * Ovarian * Anal * Colorectal carcinoma * Cervical carcinoma * Hepatocellular carcinoma * Metastatic or unresectable disease * Standard curative or palliative therapy does not exist or is no longer effective * Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) positive * Hepatic or renal dysfunction defined as one of the following: * Direct bilirubin 1.0-7.0 mg/dL with any AST * Albumin less than 2.5 g/dL * Creatinine 2.5-5.0 mg/dL * Brain metastases allowed provided patient is asymptomatic, previously treated, has stable disease for at least 2 months, and is not currently receiving steroid therapy * Hormone receptor status: * Not specified * Male or female * Performance status - ECOG 0-2 * Granulocyte count at least 1,500/mm\^3 * Platelet count at least 100,000/mm\^3 * See Disease Characteristics * No evidence of biliary obstruction * See Disease Characteristics * No evidence of renal obstruction * No symptomatic congestive heart failure * No unstable angina pectoris * No cardiac arrhythmia * No gastrointestinal tract disease that would preclude ability to take oral medications * No requirement for IV alimentation * No active peptic ulcer disease * No prior corneal abnormalities (e.g., dry eye syndrome or Sjogren's syndrome) * No prior congenital abnormality (e.g., Fuch's dystrophy) * No prior abnormal slit-lamp exam using a vital dye (e.g., fluorescein or Bengal-Rose) * No prior abnormal corneal sensitivity test (e.g., Schirmer test or similar tear production test) * No other concurrent uncontrolled illness * No ongoing or active infection * No psychiatric illness or social situation that would preclude study compliance * Not pregnant or nursing * Fertile patients must use effective contraception * No concurrent filgrastim (G-CSF) or sargramostim (GM-CSF) * At least 4 weeks since prior chemotherapy (6 weeks for melphalan or mitomycin) * No prior nitrosoureas * See Disease Characteristics * No concurrent steroids * At least 4 weeks since prior radiotherapy * At least 4 weeks since prior major surgery * No prior surgical procedures affecting absorption * No prior EGFR-targeting therapies, including gefitinib or Imclone C-225 * At least 3 months since prior suramin * More than 7 days since prior grapefruit juice * More than 7 days since other prior CYP3A4 inhibitors * No concurrent grapefruit juice * No concurrent CYP3A4 inducers, substrates, or other inhibitors * No concurrent medications known to affect hepatic or renal function, including antiseizure medication or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents * No concurrent combination anti-retroviral therapy for HIV-positive patients