AZD0530 in Treating Patients With Recurrent Locally Advanced or Metastatic Soft Tissue Sarcoma

Inclusion Criteria: * Leukocytes \>= 3,000/mcL * Histologically or cytologically confirmed soft tissue sarcoma including, but not limited to any of: * Malignant fibrous histiocytoma * Fibrosarcoma - non infantile * Leiomyosarcoma - not uterine * Liposarcoma * Non-rhabdomyosarcoma soft tissue sarcoma * Rhabdomyosarcoma, not otherwise specified * Carcinosarcoma of the uterus * Dermatofibrosarcoma * Endometrial stromal sarcoma * Leiomyosarcoma - uterus * Recurrent or locally advanced or metastatic disease * No more than two prior lines of chemotherapy for metastatic disease (not including adjuvant chemotherapy) * Measurable disease, defined as \>= 1 unidimensionally measurable lesion \>= 20 mm by conventional techniques or \>= 10 mm by spiral CT scan * Target measurable lesion must not have been in previous radiation portal, unless progression of this lesion after radiotherapy has been documented * ECOG performance status (PS) 0-2 or Karnofsky PS 60-100% * Life expectancy \> 12 weeks * Recovered from all prior therapy * Platelet count \>= 100,000/mcL * Hemoglobin \> 9 g/dL * Total bilirubin =\< 1.25 times upper limit of normal (ULN) * AST and ALT =\< 3 times ULN * Creatinine =\< 1.5 times ULN OR creatinine clearance \>= 50 mL/min * Urine protein:creatinine ratio =\< 1.0 OR 24-hour urine protein \< 1,000 mg * ANC \>1,500/mcL * Not pregnant or nursing * Negative pregnancy test * Fertile patients must use effective contraception during and for 8 weeks after completion of study therapy * No history of allergic reactions attributed to compounds of similar chemical or biological composition to AZD0530 * No QTc prolongation (defined as a QTc interval \>= to 460 msecs) or other significant ECG abnormalities * No poorly controlled hypertension (i.e., systolic blood pressure (BP) \>= 140 mm Hg, or diastolic BP \>= 90 mm Hg) * No condition that impairs a patient's ability to swallow AZD0530 tablets, including any of the following: * Gastrointestinal tract disease resulting in an inability to take oral medication or a requirement for IV alimentation * Prior surgical procedures affecting absorption * Active peptic ulcer disease Exclusion Criteria: * At least 4 weeks since prior chemotherapy (6 weeks for nitrosoureas or mitomycin C) * No intercurrent cardiac dysfunction including, but not limited to, any of the following: * Symptomatic congestive heart failure * Unstable angina pectoris * Cardiac arrhythmia * No history of ischemic heart disease, including myocardial infarction * No uncontrolled intercurrent illness including, but not limited to ongoing or active infection or psychiatric illness/social situations that would limit compliance with study requirements * More than 4 weeks since prior radiotherapy * More than 7 days since prior and no concurrent prohibited CYP3A4-active agents or substances * No other concurrent investigational agents or commercial agents or therapies * No concurrent combination antiretroviral therapy for HIV-positive patients * No known brain metastases