Inclusion Criteria

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

- Histologically confirmed (except brain stem locations) brain tumor that is unlikely
to respond to existing therapy and for which no curative therapy exists

- Evidence of tumor by gadolinium-enhanced MRI, CT scan, or positron emission
tomography

- Tumor must be at least 5 mm

- Ineligible for other BRI brain tumor protocols

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

Age:

- 18 and over

Performance status:

- Karnofsky 60-100%

Life expectancy:

- At least 2 months

Hematopoietic:

- Hemoglobin at least 9 g/dL

- WBC at least 2,000/mm^3

- Platelet count at least 50,000/mm^3

Hepatic:

- Bilirubin no greater than 2.5 mg/dL

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

- No hepatic failure

Renal:

- Creatinine no greater than 2.5 mg/dL

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

Cardiovascular:

- No severe heart disease

- No uncontrolled hypertension

- No history of congestive heart failure

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

Pulmonary:

- No severe lung disease

Other:

- Not pregnant or nursing

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

- No serious active infections or fever

- No other serious concurrent disease

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

Biologic therapy:

- At least 4 weeks since prior immunotherapy

- No concurrent immunomodulating agents

Chemotherapy:

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

- No concurrent antineoplastic agents

Endocrine therapy:

- Concurrent corticosteroids for cerebral edema allowed (must be on a stable dose for
at least 1 week prior to study entry)

Radiotherapy:

- At least 8 weeks since prior radiotherapy

Surgery:

- Must recover from prior surgery

Other:

- Prior cytodifferentiating agent allowed

- No prior antineoplaston therapy