Inclusion Criteria

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

- Histologically confirmed incurable meningioma that has progressed or recurred
following surgical resection and radiotherapy

- Evidence of tumor by MRI or CT scan

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 2000/mm3

- Platelet count at least 50,000/mm3

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 chronic heart failure

- No uncontrolled hypertension

- No history of congestive heart failure

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

Pulmonary:

- No serious lung disease, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Other:

- Not pregnant or nursing

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

- No active infection

- No other serious concurrent disease

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

Biologic therapy:

- At least 4 weeks since prior immunotherapy and recovered

- No concurrent immunomodulatory agents

Chemotherapy:

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

- No concurrent antineoplastic agents

Endocrine therapy:

- Concurrent corticosteroids allowed

- At least 4 weeks since prior therapy with mifepristone and recovered

Radiotherapy:

- At least 8 weeks since prior radiotherapy and recovered

Surgery:

- Recovered from prior surgery

Other:

- Prior cytodifferentiating agent allowed

- No prior antineoplaston therapy