DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Kernohan Grade III/IV primary malignant brain tumor that has failed conventional surgical resection and radiotherapy Evidence of recurrent tumor on gadolinium-enhanced MRI following completion of radiotherapy (minimum 5,000 cGy for adults) required The following histologies are eligible: Anaplastic astrocytoma Anaplastic oligodendroglioma Glioblastoma multiforme Mixed anaplastic glioma Surgical resection of progressing brain tumor feasible No evidence of tumor extending across the midline from one hemisphere to the other No multifocal tumor or leptomeningeal spread