Lenvatinib in Treating Patients With Metastatic or Advanced Pheochromocytoma or Paraganglioma That Cannot Be Removed by Surgery

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 * Measurable disease * Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status (PS) 0, 1, or 2 * Life expectancy \> 24 weeks * Absolute neutrophil count (ANC) \>= 1500/mm\^3 * White blood cell (WBC) count \>= 3,000/mm\^3 * Platelet count \>= 100,000/mm\^3 * Hemoglobin \>= 9.0 g/dL (5.6 mmol/L); NOTE: transfusions are not allowed =\< 7 days prior to registration * Total bilirubin =\< 1.5 X upper limit of normal (ULN) (or total bilirubin =\< 3.0 X ULN with direct bilirubin =\< 1.5 X ULN in patients with well-documented Gilbert's Syndrome) * Aspartate transaminase (AST/serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase \[SGOT\]) =\< 2.5 X ULN * Creatinine =\< 1.5 x ULN * Urine protein/creatinine ratio =\< 1 OR 24-hour urine protein \< 1.5 gram * Negative pregnancy test done =\< 7 days prior to registration, for women of childbearing potential only * Blood pressure (BP) \< 150 mmHg (systolic) and \< 90 mmHg (diastolic); initiation or adjustment of BP medication is permitted prior to registration provided that the average of three BP readings at a visit prior to registration is \< 150/90 mmHg; NOTE: all patients with secretory pheochromocytoma or paraganglioma are REQUIRED to: 1) be evaluated in consultation by a hypertension specialist with specific expe…