Carmustine Implants in Treating Patients With Brain Metastases

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Supratentorial brain metastases for which surgery is recommended Solitary, unilateral, intracranial mass consistent with metastasis on MRI scan OR Two brain lesions consistent with metastases on MRI scan Lesions must be accessible through a single craniotomy Metastatic lesions clearly distinct from tumor bed of any benign lesions Intraoperative frozen section diagnosis of metastatic tumor from CNS lesion No prior malignant intracranial neoplasm No lesion(s) in the brainstem No open communication of the resection cavity with the ventricle following resection PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age 18 and over Performance status Karnofsky 60-100% Life expectancy At least 3 months Hematopoietic No concurrent hematologic disorders Hepatic No concurrent hepatic disease Renal No concurrent renal disease Cardiovascular No concurrent cardiac disease Pulmonary No concurrent pulmonary disorders Other Not pregnant or nursing Fertile patients must use effective contraception Mini mental score at least 15 No known hypersensitivity to carmustine or Gliadel wafers No other serious concurrent medical illness or infection PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy Not specified Chemotherapy Not specified Endocrine therapy Not specified Radiotherapy No prior cranial irradiation Surgery See Disease Characteristics No prior surgery involving brain metastases or primary brain tumor(s) (except for benign intracranial lesions such as pituitary adenoma, meningioma, or schwannoma) Other Concurrent systemic therapy allowed