Antineoplaston Therapy in Treating Patients With Stage IV Melanoma

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Histologically confirmed stage IV melanoma that is recurrent or progressing and unlikely to respond to existing therapy Measurable disease by MRI or CT scan Tumor must be at least 2 cm in the lymph nodes in the head, neck, axillary, inguinal, or femoral areas and at least 0.5 cm in other locations PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: 18 and over Performance status: Karnofsky 60-100% Life expectancy: At least 2 months Hematopoietic: WBC at least 2,000/mm3 Platelet count at least 50,000/mm3 Hepatic: Bilirubin no greater than 2.5 mg/dL SGOT and SGPT no greater than 5 times the upper limit of normal No hepatic insufficiency Renal: Creatinine no greater than 2.5 mg/dL No renal insufficiency No renal conditions that contraindicate high dosages of sodium Cardiovascular: No chronic heart failure No uncontrolled hypertension No history of congestive heart failure No other cardiovascular conditions that contraindicate high dosages of sodium Pulmonary: No severe 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 No serious medical or psychiatric disorders No active infection PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: At least 4 weeks since prior immunotherapy and recovered No concurrent immunomodulating 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 who have received radiotherapy to some, but not all, tumors may be admitted earlier than 8 weeks) Surgery: Recovered from prior surgery Other: Prior cytodifferentiating agent allowed No prior antineoplaston therapy