Boron Neutron Capture Therapy Following Surgery in Treating Patients With Glioblastoma Multiforme Removed During Surgery

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: * Histologically proven glioblastoma multiforme for which conventional radiotherapy would be of little or no benefit * Gross total resection of tumor confirmed by postoperative MRI performed within 48 hours of surgery * Evaluable preoperative and postoperative MRI films with and without contrast must be available * No prior brain malignancy * No prior craniotomy except for glioblastoma PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: * 50 and over Performance status: * Karnofsky 70-100% Life expectancy: * Not specified Hematopoietic: * Not specified Hepatic: * Bilirubin, SGOT, SGPT, and alkaline phosphatase no greater than 2.5 times normal unless caused by reversible reaction to antiseizure medication Renal: * Blood urea nitrogen and creatinine no greater than 2.5 times upper limit of normal Cardiovascular: * No severe heart disease (e.g., congestive heart failure, angina pectoris) Pulmonary: * No severe dyspnea at time of diagnosis * No severe obstructive or restrictive lung disease Other: * No other concurrent malignant tumor * No severe gastrointestinal disease or active peptic ulcer disease * No uncontrolled endocrine disease * No serious mental disease, organic brain disease (e.g., preexisting epilepsy or serious aphasia), or legally incapacitated patients PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: * No prior biologic therapy for glioblastoma multiforme * No concurrent biologic therapy Chemotherapy: * No prior chemotherapy for glioblastoma multiforme * No concurrent chemotherapy Endocrine therapy: * No prior endocrine therapy for glioblastoma multiforme except corticosteroids * No concurrent endocrine therapy Radiotherapy: * See Disease Characteristics * No prior radiotherapy for glioblastoma multiforme * No prior radiotherapy to head and neck * No other concurrent radiotherapy Surgery: * See Disease Characteristics * Prior stereotactic biopsy allowed for glioblastoma multiforme