Erlotinib in Treating Patients With Unresectable Liver Cancer and Liver Dysfunction

Inclusion Criteria: * Histologically or cytologically confirmed unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with or without extrahepatic metastasis * No fibrolamellar HCC * No more than 2 prior therapies for HCC, including systemic chemotherapy, chemoembolization, hepatic arterial infusion of chemotherapeutic agents, and other novel agents * Measurable disease * At least 1 unidimensionally measurable lesion ≥ 20 mm by conventional techniques OR at least 10 mm by spiral CT scan * Moderate hepatic dysfunction with any of the following: * Bilirubin 2-4 g/dL * Albumin \< 2.5 g/dL * Ascites * PT 2-4 seconds \> upper limit of normal (ULN) * AST/ALT 2.6-10 times \> ULN * No known brain metastases * No ascites that are refractory to conservative management (e.g., sodium restriction to 50 mEq/day dietary sodium and fluid restrictions and/or diuretics) * Performance status - ECOG 0-2 * At least 16 weeks * Granulocyte count ≥ 1,500/mm\^3 * Platelet count ≥ 60,000/mm\^3 * Hemoglobin ≥ 10 g/dL * No decompensated liver disease * No jaundice * No portosystemic encephalopathy (evidenced by confusion, asterixis, significant sleep disturbance, or hypothermia less than 36º Celsius) * No hyponatremia \< 130 mEq/L * No portal hypertension with bleeding esophageal or gastric varices within the past 3 months * Creatinine ≤ 2 mg/dL * No symptomatic congestive heart failure * No unstable angina pectoris * No cardiac arrhythmia * No gastrointestinal tract disease resulting in an inability to take oral medication or requirement for IV alimentation * No active peptic ulcer disease * No abnormalities of the cornea (e.g., dry eye syndrome or Sjögren's syndrome) * No congenital abnormality (e.g., Fuch's dystrophy) * No significant traumatic injury within the past 21 days * No other uncontrolled concurrent illness that would preclude study participation * No ongoing or active infection * No psychiatric illness or social situation that would preclude study compliance * Not pregnant or nursing * Negative pregnancy test * Fertile patients must use effective contraception * At least 4 weeks since prior chemotherapy (6 weeks for nitrosoureas or mitomycin) and recovered * At least 4 weeks since prior radiotherapy and recovered * No prior surgical therapy affecting absorption * At least 21 days since prior major surgery * At least 4 weeks since any other prior agents and recovered * No prior epidermal growth factor-receptor targeting therapies * No other concurrent investigational agents * No concurrent combination antiretroviral therapy for HIV-positive patients