Inclusion Criteria

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Histologically proven solid tumor with parenchymal brain
metastasis Solitary metastasis eligible only if refused surgery or surgical resection
deemed inappropriate No leptomeningeal metastases or subarachnoid spread of tumor No small
cell lung cancer, germ cell tumors, lymphoma, or leukemia No liver metastases, unless from
breast cancer No more than 1 site of extracranial metastases (multiple bone or lung
metastases count as one site), unless from breast cancer Hormone receptor status: Not
specified

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: 18 and over Menopausal status: Not specified Performance
status: Karnofsky 70-100% Life expectancy: Not specified Hematopoietic: Absolute
neutrophil count at least 1,500/mm3 Platelet count at least 50,000/mm3 Hepatic: Bilirubin
no greater than 2 times upper limit of normal (ULN) AST and ALT no greater than 2 times
ULN Renal: Creatinine no greater than 2.0 mg/mL Other: No history of porphyria No history
of G6PD deficiency HIV negative No other major medical illnesses No major psychiatric
impairment Not pregnant or nursing Negative pregnancy test

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: Not specified Chemotherapy: No chemotherapy
during and for 2 weeks after gadolinium texaphyrin therapy Endocrine therapy: Concurrent
hormonal therapy allowed Radiotherapy: No prior cranial radiation, including prior
stereotactic radiosurgery No plan for radiosurgery or radiation boost following whole
brain radiotherapy Concurrent radiotherapy allowed to other sites, except kidneys and
liver Surgery: No prior subtotal or total resection of brain metastases (except biopsies)