Inclusion Criteria:

- Patients must be >/= 3 and
- Patients must have a newly diagnosed or progressive brain stem tumor.

- If biopsy has been performed, patients with both high and low grade astrocytomas are
eligible.

- Non-histologically confirmed brain stem tumors are eligible. Neuroradiographic
confirmation of brain stem glioma is mandatory for study entry.

- Cervicomedullary junction tumors are ineligible.

- Patients with a diagnosis of NF-1 are ineligible.

- Patients must be registered within 6 weeks from diagnosis or recurrence.

- Patients must have life expectancy > 6 weeks.

- Patients must have adequate hematologic and renal function: ANC >1,000/ul,
platelets>100,000/ul and creatinine normal for age: 1.0 mg/dl (11-12yrs.). and
- Written informed consent must be obtained according to institutional guidelines.

- Pregnant or nursing women are ineligible.

- Patients must be registered within 3 days prior to the start of protocol treatment.
Patients must not start treatment until informed consent is given and the patient is
registered. Willingness and ability to comply with the FDA-mandated S.T.E.P.S.®
program.