Antineoplaston Therapy in Treating Patients With Metastatic or Unresectable Colon Cancer

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Histologically confirmed adenocarcinoma of the colon that is unlikely to respond to existing therapy and for which no curative therapy exists Metastatic or unresectable disease Measurable disease by CT scan or MRI PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: 18 and over Performance status: Karnofsky 60-100% Life expectancy: At least 2 months Hematopoietic: WBC at least 2,000/mm^3 Platelet count at least 50,000/mm^3 Hepatic: Bilirubin no greater than 2.5 mg/dL SGOT/SGPT no greater than 5 times upper limit of normal No hepatic failure Renal: Creatinine no greater than 2.5 mg/dL No renal failure No history of renal conditions that contraindicate high dosages of sodium Cardiovascular: No chronic heart failure No uncontrolled hypertension No history of congestive heart failure No history of other cardiovascular conditions that contraindicate high dosages of sodium Pulmonary: No serious lung disease, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease Other: Not pregnant or nursing Fertile patients must use effective contraception during and for 4 weeks after study participation No active infection No other serious concurrent disease PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: At least 4 weeks since prior immunotherapy and recovered No concurrent immunomodulatory agents Chemotherapy: At least 4 weeks since prior chemotherapy (6 weeks for nitrosoureas) and recovered No concurrent antineoplastic agents Endocrine therapy: Concurrent corticosteroids allowed Radiotherapy: At least 8 weeks since prior radiotherapy and recovered (patients with multiple tumors may be admitted earlier) Surgery: Recovered from prior surgery Other: Prior cytodifferentiating agent allowed No prior antineoplaston therapy