Antineoplaston Therapy in Treating Patients With Cancer of Unknown Primary Origin

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: * Histologically confirmed adenocarcinoma of unknown primary that is unlikely to respond to existing therapy, including surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy * Evidence of tumor by MRI, CT scan, chest x-ray, or radionuclide scan PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: * 6 months and over Performance status: * Karnofsky 60-100% Life expectancy: * At least 2 months Hematopoietic: * WBC at least 2,000/mm\^3 * Platelet count at least 50,000/mm\^3 Hepatic: * No hepatic insufficiency * Bilirubin no greater than 2.5 mg/dL * SGOT and SGPT no greater than 5 times upper limit of normal Renal: * No renal insufficiency * Creatinine no greater than 2.5 mg/dL * No history of renal conditions that contraindicate high dosages of sodium Cardiovascular: * No uncontrolled hypertension * No history of congestive heart failure * No history of other cardiovascular conditions that contraindicate high dosages of sodium Pulmonary: * No severe lung disease, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease Other: * Not pregnant or nursing * Fertile patients must use effective contraception during and for 4 weeks after study participation * No active infection * No nonmalignant systemic disease * Not a high medical or psychiatric risk PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: * At least 4 weeks since prior immunotherapy * No concurrent immunomodulating agents Chemotherapy: * At least 4 weeks since prior chemotherapy (6 weeks for nitrosoureas) Endocrine therap…