Erlotinib in Treating Patients With Recurrent Malignant Glioma or Recurrent or Progressive Meningioma

Inclusion Criteria: * One of the following diagnoses: * Histologically confirmed intracranial malignant glioma * Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), anaplastic astrocytoma, anaplastic oligodendroglioma, anaplastic mixed oligoastrocytoma, or malignant astrocytoma not otherwise specified * Original histology of low-grade glioma allowed provided a subsequent histology of malignant glioma is confirmed * Histologically or radiographically confirmed recurrent or progressive benign or malignant meningioma * Progressive disease or tumor recurrence on MRI or CT scan * Phase I: No more than 3 prior relapses and no more than 2 prior chemotherapy\* or biologic therapy regimens * Phase II: No more than 2 prior relapses and no more than 2 prior chemotherapy\* or biologic therapy regimens * Patients with progressive disease must have failed prior radiotherapy\* that was completed at least 4 weeks ago * Patients with progressive disease between 4 and 12 weeks after completion of external beam radiotherapy must have clear evidence of progression on MRI * Patients with GBM who have completed external beam radiotherapy and do not show progression are eligible * Patients with progressive disease after interstitial brachytherapy or stereotactic radiosurgery must have confirmed true progression rather than radiation necrosis based upon positron-emission tomography, thallium scanning, MRI, or surgical documentation * Measurable or evaluable disease * Performance status - Karno…