Antineoplaston Therapy in Treating Patients With Neurofibroma and Schwannoma

Inclusion Criteria

• •Histologically confirmed incurable Neurofibroma or Schwannoma. Histological confirmation is waived for tumor location where biopsy cannot be safely performed.
• •There will be no exclusion based on multifocality, or leptomeningeal or systemic metastases.
• •The tumor must be at least 5 mm in size.
• •Radiologic evidence of residual or recurrent tumor by gadolinium-enhanced MRI performed no more than 14 days before the beginning of therapy.
• •Patients who have previously received radiation therapy, chemotherapy, immunotherapy or cytodifferentiating agents are eligible.
• •Patients who did not receive standard therapy are eligible.
• •Patients may be male or female. If female, the patient must not be pregnant or breast-feeding an infant, and either incapable of becoming pregnant or currently using contraceptive methods. Acceptable methods include the birth control pill, use of a diaphragm, intrauterine device, or condom by the patient's sexual partner. If male, the patient should use appropriate contraception, such as condoms, during the study and at least 4 weeks following completion of the study.
• •Patient must sign the Informed Consent Document indicting an awareness of the experimental nature of this study. In the event the patient has impairment of higher intellectual function, for example, aphasia, the the patient's legal next of kin or legal guardian must sign the Informed Consent Document indicating an awareness of the experimental nature of the study.
• •Patient must fully recover from the operative procedure and have life expectancy of two months or more. The patient's performance status should be consistent with outpatient therapy, i.e., 60% - 100% Karnofsky. The use of corticosteroids is permitted to reduce symptoms attributed to cerebral edema. It is recommended that the smallest dose be used compatible with the preservation of optimal neurological function.
• •Minimal hematological parameters include a hemoglobin of at least 9 g/dL, a white blood count of at least 1500, and a platelet count of at least 50,000.
• +10 more criteria