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;…