Chemotherapy Plus Peripheral Stem Cell Transplant in Treating Patients With Central Nervous System Cancer

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: * Histologically confirmed malignant tumors * Anaplastic astrocytoma * Oligodendroglioma * Germ cell tumor * Medulloblastoma * Primary neuroectodermal tumor * Esthesioneuroblastoma * CNS lymphoma (primary or systemic disease) * Multifocal intracranial disease allowed * No extraneural metastases (except controlled systemic lymphoma) * Pretreatment considerations based on tumor type * Anaplastic astrocytoma: * Recurrent disease * Any treatment at diagnosis allowed (carmustine dose limited to 480 mg/m2) * Chemotherapy not required at recurrence * Oligodendroglioma: * Disease response (at least minor) to conventional chemotherapy OR * Recurrent disease * Esthesioneuroblastoma: * Attempted complete surgical resection * Disease progression after radiotherapy * Response to chemotherapy regimen comprising cyclophosphamide, etoposide, and cisplatin * CNS lymphoma: * Disease refractory to methotrexate OR * Failure after initial treatment with methotrexate OR * Considered at high risk for disease relapse despite initial response * Radiographic or pathological confirmation of recurrent disease required * Not eligible for other high priority national or institutional clinical studies PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: * 18 and over Performance status: * ECOG or Zubrod 0-1 Life expectancy: * Not specified Hematopoietic: * Not specified Hepatic: * Not specified Renal: * Creatinine less …