Methotrexate and Thiotepa in Treating Patients With Newly Diagnosed Primary CNS Lymphoma

Inclusion Criteria

• •DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:
• •Histologically confirmed primary CNS lymphoma
• •* Confirmed by 1 of the following:
• •* Brain biopsy or resection
• •* CSF cytology
• •* Positive cytology or immunohistochemical diagnosis of monoclonality and measurable intracranial tumor
• •* Vitreal biopsy
• •Measurable and contrast-enhancing disease on the postoperative, pretreatment MRI or CT scan
• •No radiographic evidence of ascites or pleural effusions
• •PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:
• •Age
• •18 and over
• •Performance status
• •Karnofsky 60-100%
• •Life expectancy
• •Not specified
• •Hematopoietic
• •Absolute neutrophil count at least 1,500/mm\^3
• •Platelet count at least 100,000/mm\^3
• •Hepatic
• •Bilirubin no greater than 2.0 mg/dL
• •SGOT no greater than 4 times upper limit of normal
• •Renal
• •Creatinine no greater than 2 mg/dL
• •Creatinine clearance at least 50 mL/min
• •Other
• •Mini mental score of at least 15
• •HIV negative
• •Able to achieve hydration
• •No other malignancy within the past 5 years except curatively treated basal cell or squamous cell skin cancer or carcinoma in situ
• •No allergy to methotrexate
• •No serious infection
• •No medical illness that would preclude study participation
• •Not pregnant or nursing
• •Negative pregnancy test
• •Fertile patients must use effective contraception
• •PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:
• •Biologic therapy
• •No prior immunotherapy or biologic therapy for this disease
• •Chemotherapy
• •No prior chemotherapy for this disease
• •No other concurrent chemotherapeutic agents
• •Endocrine therapy
• •No prior hormonal therapy for this disease
• •Prior glucocorticoid therapy allowed
• •Radiotherapy
• •No prior radiotherapy for this disease
• •No prior cranial irradiation
• •Surgery
• •See Disease Characteristics
• •Other
• •At least 1 week since prior salicylates, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, probenecid, folic acid, or sulfonamide medications
• •No other concurrent investigational agents