Photodynamic Therapy With Porfimer Sodium in Treating Patients With Refractory Brain Tumors

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: * Diagnosis of supratentorial or infratentorial brain tumor * Localized, non-disseminated * Primary tumor or solitary metastasis * Recurrent or progressive * Unresectable * Negative CSF * Must have failed standard therapy including radiotherapy * Measurable disease as evidenced by CT scan or MRI * Single or multiple masses accessible to light administration PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: * 3 to 70 Performance status: * Not specified Life expectancy: * At least 2 months Hematopoietic: * Absolute neutrophil count at least 1,000/mm3 * May transfuse platelets Hepatic: * PT and PTT normal Renal: * Not specified Other: * Not pregnant PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: * Not specified Chemotherapy: * At least 6 weeks since prior chemotherapy Endocrine therapy: * Not specified Radiotherapy: * See Disease Characteristics * No prior brachytherapy Surgery: * See Disease Characteristics Other: * No other concurrent antitumor therapy