Inclusion Criteria

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

- Histologically proven stage II, III, or IV mantle cell lymphoma that is not curable
by surgery, radiotherapy, and/or chemotherapy

- Measurable tumor of greater than 2 cm in largest diameter for lymph nodes located in
head, neck, axillary, inguinal, and femoral areas (at least 1 cm for other areas)

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

Age:

- 18 and over

Performance status:

- Karnofsky 60-100%

Life expectancy:

- At least 2 months

Hematopoietic:

- WBC greater than 2000/mm^3

- Platelet count greater than 20,000/mm^3

Hepatic:

- No hepatic insufficiency

- Bilirubin no greater than 2.5 mg/dL

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

Renal:

- Creatinine no greater than 2.5 mg/dL

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

Cardiovascular:

- No hypertension

- No history of congestive heart failure

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

Other:

- Not pregnant or nursing

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

- No serious active infections requiring treatment

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

Biologic therapy:

- At least 4 weeks since prior immunotherapy and recovered

- No concurrent immunomodulatory agent (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:

- At least 4 weeks since prior corticosteroids (e.g., dexamethasone or prednisone)

- No concurrent dexamethasone, prednisone, or other corticosteroids

Radiotherapy:

- At least 8 weeks since prior radiotherapy and recovered

Surgery:

- Not specified

Other:

- No prior antineoplaston therapy

- No concurrent antibiotics, antifungals, or antivirals