Boron Neutron Capture Therapy Following Surgery in Treating Patients With Glioblastoma Multiforme Removed During Surgery

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Histologically proven glioblastoma multiforme for which conventional radiotherapy would be of little or no benefit Gross total resection of tumor confirmed by postoperative MRI performed within 48 hours of surgery Evaluable preoperative and postoperative MRI films with and without contrast must be available No prior brain malignancy No prior craniotomy except for glioblastoma PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: 50 and over Performance status: Karnofsky 70-100% Life expectancy: Not specified Hematopoietic: Not specified Hepatic: Bilirubin, SGOT, SGPT, and alkaline phosphatase no greater than 2.5 times normal unless caused by reversible reaction to antiseizure medication Renal: Blood urea nitrogen and creatinine no greater than 2.5 times upper limit of normal Cardiovascular: No severe heart disease (e.g., congestive heart failure, angina pectoris) Pulmonary: No severe dyspnea at time of diagnosis No severe obstructive or restrictive lung disease Other: No other concurrent malignant tumor No severe gastrointestinal disease or active peptic ulcer disease No uncontrolled endocrine disease No serious mental disease, organic brain disease (e.g., preexisting epilepsy or serious aphasia), or legally incapacitated patients PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: No prior biologic therapy for glioblastoma multiforme No concurrent biologic therapy Chemotherapy: No prior chemotherapy for glioblastoma multiforme No concurrent chemotherapy Endocrine therapy: No prior endocrine therapy for glioblastoma multiforme except corticosteroids No concurrent endocrine therapy Radiotherapy: See Disease Characteristics No prior radiotherapy for glioblastoma multiforme No prior radiotherapy to head and neck No other concurrent radiotherapy Surgery: See Disease Characteristics Prior stereotactic biopsy allowed for glioblastoma multiforme