Inclusion Criteria

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Histologically confirmed ependymoma that is recurrent after
radiotherapy Histologic confirmation of recurrence encouraged but not required in patients
with pure ependymoma at diagnosis and unequivocal radiologic evidence of recurrence
Histologic confirmation of recurrence required in patients with mixed histology at
diagnosis Ependymoma at least 80% of histology No subependymoma Measurable or evaluable
disease on imaging exam

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: 18 and over Performance status: ECOG 0-3 Hematopoietic: WBC
at least 3,500 Platelets at least 130,000 Hepatic: Bilirubin no greater than 0.3 mg/dL
above normal Renal: Creatinine no greater than 0.3 mg/dL above normal Cardiovascular: No
NYHA class III/IV status Other: No uncontrolled infection No pregnant or nursing women
Negative pregnancy test required of fertile women Effective contraception required of
fertile patients

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: Not specified Chemotherapy: No prior cisplatin
or etoposide At least 4 weeks since chemotherapy (6 weeks since nitrosoureas) Endocrine
therapy: Steroid dose stable for at least 1 week prior to entry if indicator lesion in CNS
Radiotherapy: See Disease Characteristics At least 4 weeks since radiotherapy Surgery: Not
specified