Inclusion Criteria

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

- Histologically or cytologically confirmed incurable oligodendroglioma that progressed
during or is recurrent or residual after initial therapy, including radiotherapy
and/or chemotherapy

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

- Measurable disease by MRI or CT scan

- Tumor must be at least 5 mm

- Must have received and failed prior standard therapy (i.e., radiotherapy,
chemotherapy, immunotherapy, or cytodifferentiating agent)

- No brain stem tumors

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

Age:

- 18 and over

Performance status:

- Karnofsky 60-100%

Life expectancy:

- At least 2 months

Hematopoietic:

- 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 (e.g., chronic obstructive pulmonary disease)

Other:

- Not pregnant or nursing

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

- No serious active infections

- No other serious concurrent disease

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

Biologic therapy:

- See Disease Characteristics

- At least 4 weeks since prior immunotherapy

Chemotherapy:

- See Disease Characteristics

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

Endocrine therapy:

- Concurrent corticosteroids allowed

Radiotherapy:

- See Disease Characteristics

- At least 8 weeks since prior radiotherapy

Surgery:

- Recovered from any prior surgery

Other:

- No prior antineoplaston therapy