Imatinib Mesylate in Treating Patients With Advanced Cancer and Liver Dysfunction

Inclusion Criteria: * Histologically or cytologically confirmed surgically incurable solid tumor orhematologic malignancy for which no standard or palliative therapy exists oris no longer effective * All tumor types are eligible, including: * Chronic myelogenous leukemia or other Philadelphia chromosome-positive leukemia OR * Gastrointestinal stromal tumors * Patients with gliomas that require corticosteroids or anticonvulsants must beon a stable dose and seizure-free for 1 month * No unstable or untreated (non-irradiated) brain metastases * Performance status - ECOG 0-2 * Performance status - Karnofsky 60-100% * More than 3 months * WBC at least 3,000/mm\^3 * Absolute neutrophil count at least 1,500/mm\^3 * Platelet count at least 100,000/mm\^3 * No active hemolysis * See Surgery * No evidence of biliary sepsis * Creatinine normal * Creatinine clearance at least 60 mL/min * No symptomatic congestive heart failure * No unstable angina pectoris * No cardiac arrhythmia * Able to swallow pills * No other uncontrolled concurrent illness that would preclude study participation * No ongoing or active infection * No uncontrolled diarrhea * No psychiatric illness or social situation that would preclude study compliance * Not pregnant or nursing * Negative pregnancy test * Fertile patients must use effective barrier contraception during and for 6 months after study completion * At least 24 hours since prior colony-stimulating factors * No concurrent colony-stimulating fac…