Arsenic Trioxide in Treating Patients With Metastatic Liver Cancer That Cannot Be Removed by Surgery

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Histologically or cytologically confirmed hepatocellular carcinoma Unresectable metastatic disease Ascites allowed provided it is minimal PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age Over 18 Performance status 0-2 Life expectancy Not specified Hematopoietic WBC > 2,500/mm^3 Absolute neutrophil count > 1,500/mm^3 Platelet count > 75,000/mm^3 Hepatic Bilirubin < 2.5 mg/dL AST < 2.5 times upper limit of normal Renal Not specified Cardiovascular QTc interval ≤ 460 msec AND potassium and magnesium normal Other Not pregnant or nursing Negative pregnancy test Fertile female patients must use effective double-method contraception for ≥ 4 weeks before, during, and for ≥ 4 weeks after completion of study treatment (during and for ≥ 4 weeks after completion of study treatment for male patients) No blood, ova, or sperm donation during study treatment Potassium > 4.0 mEq/dL Magnesium > 1.8 mg/dL PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy No concurrent biologic therapy Chemotherapy More than 4 weeks since prior and no other concurrent chemotherapy Endocrine therapy Not specified Radiotherapy More than 4 weeks since prior and no concurrent radiotherapy Surgery Not specified Other No other concurrent investigational agents