Vorinostat Before Surgery in Treating Patients With Triple-Negative Breast Cancer

Inclusion Criteria: * Resectable tumor measuring 2cm or more * Histologically documented, newly diagnosed, triple negative invasive breast cancer characterized by 0% immunohistochemistry (IHC) nuclear staining for ER-alpha, 0% IHC nuclear staining for PR-alpha, and no amplification of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)/neu by fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) using institutional standard; standard IHC assays for ER and PR use antibodies to ER-alpha and PR-alpha and PR-beta * Southwest Oncology Group (SWOG) performance status of less than or equal to 1 * Absolute neutrophil count (ANC) \>= 1500/uL * Hemoglobin (Hgb) \>= 9 g/dL * Platelets \>= 100,000/uL * Aspartate aminotransferase (AST)/serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (SGOT) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT)/serum glutamic pyruvate transaminase (SGPT) =\< 2.5 x upper limit of normal (ULN) or =\< 5.0 x ULN in patients with liver metastases * Creatinine =\< 2.0 mg/dL or calculated creatinine clearance \>= 50 ml/min * Albumin \>= 3 g/dL * Potassium \>= lower limit normal (LLN) * Phosphorous \>= LLN * Calcium \>= LLN * Magnesium \> LLN * Women of childbearing potential must have a negative serum or urine pregnancy test performed within 7 days prior to start of treatment * Accessible for treatment and follow-up * Written informed consent prior to study entry Exclusion Criteria: * HER2/neu amplification by FISH * Concurrent neoadjuvant anti-cancer treatment with chemotherapy, endocrine therapy, biologically targeted therapy or radiotherapy * Known hypersensitivity to SAHA * Preexisting hepatic impairment or renal impairment * Intent to receive additional neoadjuvant therapy prior to surgery * Concurrent use of an HDAC inhibitor or hydralazine * Known diagnosis of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection * Major surgery \< 4 weeks prior to starting study drug * Pregnant or breastfeeding or female of reproductive potential not using an effective method of birth control * Other concurrent severe, uncontrolled infection or intercurrent illness, including but not limited to ongoing or active infection or psychiatric illness/social situations that would limit compliance with study requirements * Prior antiestrogens (selective estrogen receptor modulator \[SERM\] or aromatase inhibitors) within 6 months of study entry * Underlying medical, psychiatric or social conditions that would preclude patient from receiving treatment