Antineoplaston Therapy in Treating Patients With Brain Tumors

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: * Histologically confirmed brain tumor (except brain stem locations) that is unlikely to respond to existing therapy and for which no curative therapy exists * Evidence of persistent or recurrent brain tumor by MRI scan performed within two weeks prior to study entry * Tumor must be at least 5 mm * Ineligible for other Burzynski Research Institute, Inc. 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