S9811 Hydroxyurea in Treating Patients With Unresectable Benign Meningioma

You may be eligible if

• DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:
• Histologically confirmed unresectable primary, recurrent, or residual benign meningioma
• Measurable disease by CT scan or MRI
• Must have disease progression within the past 10 years OR progressive neurologic deficit within the past 6 months
• Must have undergone prior radiotherapy with subsequent disease progression OR refused radiotherapy
• PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:
• Age:
• 18 and over
• Performance status:
• SWOG 0-2
• Life expectancy:
• Not specified
• Hematopoietic:
• WBC at least 4,000/mm\^3
• Platelet count at least lower limit of normal
• Hepatic:
• Not specified
• Renal:
• Not specified
• Other:
• Not pregnant or nursing
• Fertile patients must use effective contraception
• No other malignancy within the past 5 years except adequately treated basal or squamous cell skin cancer, carcinoma in situ of the cervix, or adequately treated stage I or II cancer in complete remission
• PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:
• Biologic therapy:
• Not specified
• Chemotherapy:
• No prior cytotoxic chemotherapy for meningioma
• Prior mifepristone allowed
• No other concurrent chemotherapy
• Endocrine therapy:
• Concurrent glucocorticoids and hormone replacement therapy allowed if stable dose maintained for at least 72 hours prior to CT scan or MRI
• No concurrent antitumor hormonal therapy
• Radiotherapy:
• See Disease Characteristics
• At least 6 months since prior radiotherapy
• No concurrent radiotherapy
• Surgery:
• Not specified