A Study of Aminolevulinic Acid (ALA) to Enhance Visualization and Resection of Malignant Glial Tumors of the Brain

Inclusion Criteria: * Patients must have clinically documented primary brain tumor for which resection is clinically indicated. The anticipated histology at resection should include: Anaplastic astrocytoma, Astrocytoma, Brain stem glioma, Ependymoma, Glioblastoma, Glioblastoma multiforme, Gliosarcoma, oligodendroglioma, Medulloblastoma, Mixed astrocytoma-ependymoma * Patients may have prior therapy * 18 years of age * Male or Female * Life expectancy is not a consideration for protocol entry * Patients must have normal organ and marrow function as defined below: Leukocytes \>3,000/mL, Absolute neutrophil count \>1,500/mL, Platelets \>100,000/mL, Total bilirubin within normal institutional limits AST (SGOT)/ALT (SGPT)\<2.5 X institutional upper limit of normal, Creatinine within normal institutional limits or Creatinine clearance \>60 mL/min/1.73 m2 for patients with creatinine levels above institutional normal * Confirmation of Glial Tumor * Gross total resection is the aim of surgery * Ability to understand and the willingness to sign a written informed consent document or have a parent or guardian with the ability to understand and the willingness to sign a written informed consent. Exclusion Criteria: * Non-Glial tumor i.e. tumor abscess, metastasis, lymphoma, vasculitis * Tumor with perforating vessels * Tumor involves critical fiber tracks * Use of the microsurgical tool monopolar loop * Subject has preexisting severe deficits concerning language or motor function not resolved with steroids * Performance Status of less than 60 * Prior therapy is not an exclusion criterion * Patients may not be receiving any other investigational agents * History of allergic reactions attributed to compounds of similar chemical or biologic composition to aminolevulinic acid (ALA) * Personal or family history of porphorias * Uncontrolled intercurrent illness including, but not limited to ongoing or active infection, symptomatic congestive heart failure, unstable angina pectoris, cardiac arrhythmia, or psychiatric illness/social situations that would limit compliance with study requirements