Erlotinib Hydrochloride in Treating Patients With Pancreatic Cancer That Can Be Removed by Surgery

Inclusion Criteria: * Confirmed IPMN histological diagnosis, endoscopic ultrasound fine needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) core biopsy tissue specimen with plan for pancreatic surgical resection; histological diagnosis should be within 6 months of entry into protocol * Patients must have adequate bone marrow function at study entry * White blood cell (WBC) \> 3,000 * Platelets \> 100,000/mm\^3 * Hemoglobin \> 10 g/dL * Plasma creatinine of \< 1.6 mg/dL * Total bilirubin \< 1.5 * Serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) \< 1.5 x upper limit of normal * Patients with evidence of obstructive lung disease (forced expiratory volume in one second \[FEV1\] \< 80% predicted and FEV1/forced vital capacity \[FVC\] ratio \< 90% of predicted value) as the etiology of a low diffusing capacity will still be eligible as long as the chest radiograph or computed tomography (CT) does not demonstrate interstitial changes * Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status 0-1 * Women of child-bearing potential and men taking study drug must agree to use adequate contraception (hormonal or barrier method of birth control; abstinence) prior to study entry and for the duration of study participation * Ability to understand, as well as sign the written informed consent document * If a woman of child-bearing potential, must have a negative pregnancy test prior to study entry; should a woman become pregnant or suspect she is pregnant while participating in this s…