Combination Chemotherapy Plus Radiation Therapy in Treating Children With Newly Diagnosed Brain Stem Glioma

You may be eligible if

• DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Newly diagnosed diffuse intrinsic brain stem glioma by MRI At least 2/3 of the tumor in the pons Tumor origin clearly in the pons At least 2 clinical features with less than 6 months duration: Cranial nerve deficit Long tract signs Ataxia No diffuse brain stem enlargement secondary to neurofibromatosis No diffuse leptomeningeal disease
• PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: 3 to 21 Performance status: Karnofsky or Lansky 50-100% Life expectancy: Not specified Hematopoietic: Absolute neutrophil count at least 1,000/mm3 Platelet count at least 100,000/mm3 Hepatic: Bilirubin less than 2.0 mg/dL ALT no greater than 5 times upper limit of normal Renal: Creatinine or GFR normal for age
• PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: No prior biologic therapy Chemotherapy: No other concurrent chemotherapy No prior chemotherapy Endocrine therapy: Prior glucocorticoids allowed Radiotherapy: No prior radiotherapy Surgery: No prior surgery Other: No other concurrent investigational drugs