DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Patients with 1-4 sites of brain metastases Confirmed by MRI with gadolinium texaphyrin scan within two weeks of study If solitary metastases, diameter must be 40 mm or less If multiple metastases, one site may be greater than 30 mm, while all others must be less than 30 mm No metastases in the brainstem or within 5 mm of optic nerves or chiasm Prior surgical resection of metastases allowed if radiographically visible residual disease No prior cranial radiotherapy Patients must be over 65 years of age OR Over 18 years of age with Karnofsky performance status 40-60% All primary histologies allowed except the following: Lymphomas Leukemia Multiple myeloma Small cell lung cancer Germ cell tumors Extracranial disease allowed