Stereotactic Radiation Therapy in Treating Patients With Brain Metastases

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 PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: See Disease Characteristics Performance status: See Disease Characteristics Life expectancy: Not specified Hematopoietic: Hemoglobin greater than 8 g/dL Absolute neutrophil count greater than 1,000/mm3 Platelet count greater than 50,000/mm3 Hepatic: Not specified Renal: Not specified PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: Not specified Chemotherapy: Prior chemotherapy allowed Endocrine therapy: Not specified Radiotherapy: See Disease Characteristics Prior or concurrent radiotherapy to noncranial sites allowed Surgery: See Disease Characteristics