Standard Radiation Therapy, Higher-Dose Radiation Therapy, or Chemotherapy in Treating Older Patients With Glioblastoma Multiforme

You may be eligible if

• DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:
• Histologically confirmed glioblastoma multiforme
• * Grade 4 disease (WHO)
• PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:
• WHO performance status (PS) 0-2 (PS 3-4 allowed if secondary to a neurological physical handicap)
• Life expectancy ≥ 3 months
• ANC ≥ 1,500/mm\^3
• Platelet count ≥ 100,000/mm\^3
• Hemoglobin ≥ 10 g/dL
• Bilirubin \< 1.5 times upper limit of normal (ULN)
• Transaminases ≤ 3 times ULN
• Creatinine \< 1.5 times ULN
• Able to tolerate the 3 treatment options
• No other malignancy within the past 5 years except for curatively treated basal cell or squamous cell carcinoma of the skin
• No acute or chronic severe illness that, in the investigator's opinion, contraindicates participation in the study
• PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:
• No prior chemotherapy, radiotherapy, or immunotherapy
• Concurrent corticosteroids allowed provided patient is receiving the lowest dose necessary for optimal functioning