Radiation Therapy Plus Thalidomide and Temozolomide in Treating Patients With Newly Diagnosed Brain Metastases

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Histologically confirmed extracranial primary malignancy or brain metastases At least 1 brain metastasis with at least 1 unresected lesion that is measurable by contrast-enhanced MRI No evidence of spinal drop metastases or spread to noncontiguous meninges No lymphoma, small cell lung cancer, or germ cell tumor PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age 18 and over Performance status Karnofsky 70-100% Life expectancy At least 4 months Hematopoietic Absolute neutrophil count at least 1,500/mm^3 Platelet count at least 100,000/mm^3 Hemoglobin at least 10 g/dL Hepatic Bilirubin less than 1.5 mg/dL SGPT and/or SGOT no greater than 2 times upper limit of normal Renal Creatinine no greater than 1.5 mg/dL BUN no greater than 25 mg/dL Other Able to be regularly followed No sensory neuropathy greater than grade 2 No other major medical illnesses that would preclude study No neurologic or psychiatric impairments that would preclude study No active infection Not pregnant or nursing Negative pregnancy test Fertile patients must use at least 1 highly effective and 1 additional effective method of contraception during and for 2 months after study PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy Not specified Chemotherapy At least 4 weeks since prior chemotherapy (6 weeks for nitrosoureas) No other concurrent chemotherapy during and for 4 weeks after study Endocrine therapy Not specified Radiotherapy No prior radiotherapy to head or neck No prior stereotactic radiosurgery Concurrent radiotherapy to extracranial sites of underlying malignancy allowed Surgery Prior craniotomy allowed if completed within the past 10-28 days