Temsirolimus in Treating Patients With Metastatic Solid Tumor or Lymphoma That Cannot Be Removed By Surgery Who Have Different Levels of Liver Function

Patients must have histologically or cytologically confirmed solid tumor or lymphoma that is metastatic or unresectable and for which standard curative or palliative measures do not exist or are no longer effective; all solid and lymphoma tumor types are eligible; patients with a liver mass (radiologically evident), elevated alpha-fetoprotein level (\>= 500 ng/mL), and positive serology for viral hepatitis or history of alcoholic cirrhosis consistent with a diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma will be eligible without the need for pathologic confirmation of the diagnosis

Life expectancy of \>= 2 months

ECOG performance status =\< 2 (KPS \>= 50)

Absolute neutrophil count \>= 1,000/mcl, and

Platelets \>= 100,000/mcl, and

Serum creatinine =\< 1.5 x ULN OR calculated creatinine clearance \>= 60 mL/min/1.73 m\^2

Patients with abnormal liver function will be eligible and will be grouped according to total bilirubin and AST (SGOT); no distinction will be made between liver dysfunction due to metastases and liver dysfunction due to other causes; for patient stratification, liver function tests should be repeated within 72 hours of starting initial therapy

Patients with biliary obstruction for which a shunt has been placed are eligible, provided the liver function tests have stabilized (two measurements at least tow days apart that put the patient in the same hepatic dysfunction stratum will be accepted as evidence of stable hepatic function); there must be no evidence of biliary sepsis and at least 2 weeks must have elapsed after the placement of a biliary shunt

Patients receiving medications or substances with the potential to affect the activity the activity or pharmacokinetics of CCI-779 (temsirolimus), such as CYP3A4 substrates, inducers, or inhibitors may be enrolled at the discretion of the investigator; however, consideration should be given to stopping or switching to non-interfering agents if clinically feasible; in all cases, the use of these agents should be listed on the concomitant medication record

The effects of CCI-779 (temsirolimus) on the developing human fetus and newborn are unknown; for this reason and because CCI-779 (temsirolimus) may be teratogenic, patients must not be pregnant or nursing; men or women of childbearing potential must have agreed to use an effective contraceptive method prior to study entry and for the duration of study participation; since interaction with CCI-779 (temsirolimus) and oral contraceptives is possible, a barrier method should be used and oral contraceptives are not permitted; a negative pregnancy test is required prior to starting therapy for women of childbearing age; should a woman become pregnant or suspect she is pregnant while participating in this study, she should inform her treating physician immediately

Ability to understand and the willingness to sign a written informed consent document in accordance with institutional and federal guidelines; all patients must be informed of the investigational nature of this study

Patients must agree to undergo PK sampling and sample submission as outlined by the protocol

History of allergic reactions attributed to compounds of similar chemical or biologic composition to rapamycin or CCI-779 (temsirolimus)

Uncontrolled serious intercurrent medical illness or psychiatric illness/social situations that would limit compliance with study requirements

Pregnant women are excluded from this study because CCI-779 (temsirolimus) is an agent with the potential for teratogenic or abortifacient effects; nursing women are also excluded, as there is an unknown but potential risk for adverse events in nursing infants secondary to treatment of the mother with CCI-779 (temsirolimus); breastfeeding should be discontinued if the mother is treated with CCI-779 (temsirolimus)

HIV-positive patients receiving anti-retroviral therapy are excluded from the study due to the possibility of pharmacokinetic interactions with CCI-779 (temsirolimus); however, patients will not routinely be screened for HIV

Patients who are currently receiving Rapamycin (RAP, Rapamune, Sirolimus) therapy are excluded from the study due to the possibility of overdosing, as CCI-779 is metabolized into sirolimus

What this study is about