Inclusion Criteria

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

- Histologically confirmed stage I-IV primary central nervous system lymphoma for which
no curative therapy exists

- Measurable tumor by MRI or CT scan

- Tumor must be greater than 2 cm in largest diameter

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

Age:

- 18 and over

Performance status:

- Karnofsky 60-100%

Life expectancy:

- At least 2 months

Hematopoietic:

- WBC greater than 2,000/mm^3

- Platelet count greater than 50,000/mm^3

Hepatic:

- Bilirubin no greater than 2.5 mg/dL

- SGOT and SGPT no greater than 5 times upper limit of normal

- No hepatic insufficiency

Renal:

- Creatinine no greater than 2.5 mg/dL

- No history of renal conditions that contraindicate high dosages of sodium

Cardiovascular:

- No cardiac insufficiency

- No hypertension

- No history of congestive heart failure

- No history of other cardiovascular conditions that contraindicate high dosages of
sodium

Other:

- Not pregnant or nursing

- Fertile patients must use effective contraception during and for at least 4 weeks
after study participation

- No serious infection requiring antibiotics, antifungals, or antivirals

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

Biologic therapy:

- At least 4 weeks since prior immunotherapy and recovered

- No concurrent immunomodulatory agents (e.g., interferon or interleukin-2)

Chemotherapy:

- At least 4 weeks since prior chemotherapy (6 weeks for nitrosoureas) and recovered

- No concurrent antineoplastic agent

Endocrine therapy:

- Concurrent corticosteroids allowed

- Must be on stable dose for at least 4 weeks prior to study entry

Radiotherapy:

- At least 8 weeks since prior radiotherapy and recovered

Surgery:

- Not specified

Other:

- No prior antineoplastons