Pazopanib Hydrochloride in Treating Patients With Advanced or Progressive Malignant Pheochromocytoma or Paraganglioma

Inclusion Criteria: * Histologically or cytologically confirmed malignant secretory or non-secretory pheochromocytoma or paraganglioma that is unresectable and deemed inappropriate for alternative local regional therapeutic approaches * Objective evidence of tumor progression =\< 185 days prior to registration as assessed by: * Unequivocal progression of objectively measured disease on successive appropriate imaging (e.g. computed tomography \[CT\] scan); in cases of uncertainty of tumor progression, the principal investigator of the study will be available to assist in decisions * Measurable disease defined as: * At least one non-nodal lesion whose longest diameter can be accurately measured as \>= 2.0 cm with chest x-ray, or as \>= 1.0 cm with CT scan, CT component of a positron emission tomography (PET)/CT, or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI); and/or * A lymph node whose short axis must be \> 1.5 cm when assessed by CT scan (CT scan slice thickness recommended to be no greater than 5 mm) * Note: Tumor lesions in a previously irradiated area are not considered measurable disease * Life expectancy \> 24 weeks * Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status =\< 2 * Leukocytes \>= 3,000/uL * Absolute neutrophil count \>= 1,500/uL * Platelets \>= 100,000/uL * Hemoglobin \>= 9 g/dL (5.6 mmol/L); transfusions not permitted =\< 7 days of registration * Total bilirubin =\< 1.5 x institutional upper limit of normal (ULN) (except in cases of Gilbert's syndro…