AZD2171 in Treating Patients With Recurrent or Stage IV Melanoma

Inclusion Criteria: * Histologically/cytologically confirmed recurrent/metastatic malignant melanoma (stage IV acral lentiginous, lentigo maligna, superficial spreading or ocular malignant melanoma) * Measurable disease- at least 1 lesion accurately measured in at least 1 dimension (longest diameter) as \>=20mm with conventional techniques or \>=10mm with spiral CT scan * Previously irradiated lesions not considered measurable unless they demonstrated progression prior to study entry * No prior chemotherapy (including regional therapy); prior adjuvant immunotherapy permitted if completed \>3 months prior to study entry; patients may have received prior radiation therapy if completed \>=4 weeks prior to study entry * Previous surgery permissible if performed \>=4 weeks prior to study entry * Life expectancy \>12 weeks * ECOG performance status=\< 2 (Karnofsky\>=60%) * Leukocytes\>=3,000/mcL * Absolute neutrophil count\>=1,500/mcL * Platelets\>=100,000/mcL * Hemoglobin\>=8g/dL * Total bilirubin\<1.5x institutional ULN (IULN) * AST/ALT=\<3 x IULN (5xULN if liver metastases) * Creatinine within IULN * Creatinine within IULN OR * Creatinine clearance\>=60mL/min/m\^2 if creatinine levels above IULN * Baseline blood pressure \<140/90mmHg; may be taking antihypertensive medications * AZD2171 has shown to terminate fetal development in rat as expected for process dependent on VEGF signaling; women of childbearing potential must have negative pregnancy test prior to study entry; women of childbearing potential/men must agree to use adequate contraception (hormonal/barrier method of birth control; abstinence) prior to study entry and for duration of study * Ability to understand/willingness to sign written informed consent Exclusion Criteria: * Any previous chemotherapy or immunotherapy for recurrent/metastatic disease; patients who have had radiotherapy or major surgery within 4 weeks prior to entering study or those who have not recovered from AEs due to treatment received more than 4 weeks earlier * May not be concurrently receiving other investigational agents nor have participated in an investigational trial of bio-, chemo- or immunotherapy agents * Known brain metastases because of their poor prognosis and because patients often develop progressive neurologic dysfunction that would confound evaluation of neurologic and other AEs * History of allergic reactions attributed to compounds of similar chemical/biologic composition to AZD2171 * Mean QTc\>470msec (Bazett's correction) in screening electrocardiogram or history of familial long QT syndrome * \>+1 proteinuria on 2 consecutive dipsticks taken no less than 1 week apart * Uncontrolled intercurrent illness including but not limited to hypertension, ongoing/active infection, symptomatic congestive heart failure, unstable angina pectoris, cardiac arrhythmia, or psychiatric illness/social situations that would limit compliance with study requirements * Pregnant women excluded from study because AZD2171 is a VEGF inhibitor with known abortifacient effects; breastfeeding should be discontinued if mother is treated with AZD2171 * HIV-positive patients on combination antiretroviral therapy are ineligible because of potential for PK interactions with AZD2171; appropriate studies will be undertaken in patients receiving combination antiretroviral therapy when indicated * Any significant abnormality noted in ECG within 14 days of treatment * A NYHA classification of III or IV (NOTE: Patients classified as class II controlled with treatment may continue with increase monitoring) * Conditions requiring concurrent use of drugs/biologics with proarrhythmic potential; these drugs are prohibited during studies with AZD2171