Etoposide Plus Cisplatin in Treating Patients With Recurrent Ependymomas

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Histologically confirmed ependymoma that is recurrent after radiotherapy Histologic confirmation of recurrence encouraged but not required in patients with pure ependymoma at diagnosis and unequivocal radiologic evidence of recurrence Histologic confirmation of recurrence required in patients with mixed histology at diagnosis Ependymoma at least 80% of histology No subependymoma Measurable or evaluable disease on imaging exam PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: 18 and over Performance status: ECOG 0-3 Hematopoietic: WBC at least 3,500 Platelets at least 130,000 Hepatic: Bilirubin no greater than 0.3 mg/dL above normal Renal: Creatinine no greater than 0.3 mg/dL above normal Cardiovascular: No NYHA class III/IV status Other: No uncontrolled infection No pregnant or nursing women Negative pregnancy test required of fertile women Effective contraception required of fertile patients PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: Not specified Chemotherapy: No prior cisplatin or etoposide At least 4 weeks since chemotherapy (6 weeks since nitrosoureas) Endocrine therapy: Steroid dose stable for at least 1 week prior to entry if indicator lesion in CNS Radiotherapy: See Disease Characteristics At least 4 weeks since radiotherapy Surgery: Not specified