Antineoplaston Therapy in Treating Patients With Recurrent or Refractory Mixed Gliomas

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: * Histologically confirmed incurable primary mixed glioma that is recurrent or refractory following standard therapy, including radiation therapy * Evidence of recurrent or refractory tumor by MRI scan performed within two weeks prior to study entry * Must have received and failed standard therapy * Tumor must be at least 5 mm PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: * 18 and over Performance status: * Karnofsky 60-100% Life expectancy: * At least 2 months Hematopoietic: * WBC at least 2000/mm3 * Platelet count at least 50,000/mm3 Hepatic: * No hepatic insufficiency * Bilirubin no greater than 2.5 mg/mL * SGOT and SGPT no greater than 5 times upper limit of normal Renal: * No renal insufficiency * Creatinine no greater than 2.5 mg/mL * No history of renal conditions that contraindicate high dosages of sodium Cardiovascular: * No known chronic heart failure * No uncontrolled hypertension * No history of congestive heart failure * No other cardiovascular conditions that contraindicate high dosages of sodium Pulmonary: * No severe lung disease * No severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease Other: * Not pregnant or nursing * Fertile patients must use effective contraception during and for 4 weeks after study * No other severe medical illness * No nonmalignant systemic disease * No active infection PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: * At least 4 weeks since immunotherapy Chemotherapy: * At least 4 weeks since prior chemotherapy (6 weeks for nitrosoureas) Endocrine therapy: * Concurrent corticosteroids allowed Radiotherapy: * At least 8 weeks since prior radiotherapy (unless there is evidence of disease progression) Surgery: * Fully recovered from prior surgery Other: * Prior cytodifferentiating agent allowed * No prior antineoplaston therapy