Combination Chemotherapy and Radiation Therapy in Treating Patients With Germ Cell Tumors in the Brain

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

* Clinical and radiological evidence of intracranial germ cell tumor, classified as 1 of the following:

  * Germinoma

    * Pure germinoma
    * Germinoma with mature and/or immature teratoma
  * Secreting germ cell tumor

    * Elevated tumor markers in serum and/or cerebral spinal fluid as evidenced by any of the following:

      * Alpha-fetoprotein \> 25 ng/mL
      * β-human choriogonadotropin \> 50 IU/L
    * Any tumor containing 1 of these components:

      * Yolk sac tumor
      * Choriocarcinoma
      * Embryonal tumor

        * Normal tumor markers allowed
* Diagnosis confirmed by histology or elevated serum markers
* Metastatic or nonmetastatic disease

  * Two separate tumors in the suprasellar and pineal areas without evidence of metastatic disease elsewhere are considered nonmetastatic multifocal disease
* Study treatment must begin ≤ 4 weeks after diagnosis
* No pure immature or mature teratomas
* The following additional patients are eligible:

  * Patients who are \> 18 years of age provided no other appropriate protocol exists
  * Patients who were diagnosed \> 4 weeks ago
  * Patients who are in relapse

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

* Not specified

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

* No prior treatment except surgery
* No concurrent amino glycosides or other nephrotoxic drugs during ifosfamide administration
* No concurrent growth factors
* No other concurrent chemotherapy or radiotherapy