Antineoplaston Therapy in Treating Patients With Mantle Cell Lymphoma

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Histologically proven stage II, III, or IV mantle cell lymphoma that is not curable by surgery, radiotherapy, and/or chemotherapy Measurable tumor of greater than 2 cm in largest diameter for lymph nodes located in head, neck, axillary, inguinal, and femoral areas (at least 1 cm for other areas) PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: 18 and over Performance status: Karnofsky 60-100% Life expectancy: At least 2 months Hematopoietic: WBC greater than 2000/mm^3 Platelet count greater than 20,000/mm^3 Hepatic: No hepatic insufficiency Bilirubin no greater than 2.5 mg/dL SGOT and SGPT no greater than 5 times upper limit of normal Renal: Creatinine no greater than 2.5 mg/dL No history of renal conditions that contraindicate high dosages of sodium Cardiovascular: No hypertension No history of congestive heart failure No history of cardiovascular conditions that contraindicate high dosages of sodium Other: Not pregnant or nursing Fertile patients must use effective contraception during and for 4 weeks after study participation No serious active infections requiring treatment PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: At least 4 weeks since prior immunotherapy and recovered No concurrent immunomodulatory agent (e.g., interferon or interleukin-2) Chemotherapy: At least 4 weeks since prior chemotherapy (6 weeks for nitrosoureas) and recovered No concurrent antineoplastic agent Endocrine therapy: At least 4 weeks since prior corticosteroids (e.g., dexamethasone or prednisone) No concurrent dexamethasone, prednisone, or other corticosteroids Radiotherapy: At least 8 weeks since prior radiotherapy and recovered Surgery: Not specified Other: No prior antineoplaston therapy No concurrent antibiotics, antifungals, or antivirals