Use of EF5 to Measure the Oxygen Level in Tumor Cells of Patients Undergoing Surgery or Biopsy for Newly Diagnosed Supratentorial Malignant Glioma

Inclusion Criteria:

* Histologically confirmed and/or clinical and imaging evidence of a new brain mass that is likely to be a supratentorial malignant glioma
* Clinical condition and physiologic status indicative of debulking surgery or biopsy as standard initial therapy
* Performance status - Karnofsky performance status 60-100%
* WBC greater than 2,000/mm\^3
* Platelet count greater than 90,000/mm\^3
* Creatinine less than 2.0 mg/dL
* No significant cardiac condition that would preclude study therapy
* No symptomatic congestive heart failure
* No unstable angina pectoris
* Not pregnant or nursing
* Negative pregnancy test
* Fertile patients must use effective contraception during and for 1 month after study completion
* Weight no greater than 130 kilograms
* No grade 3 or 4 peripheral neuropathy
* No other invasive malignancy within the past 3 years that is likely to cause a solitary supratentorial metastasis
* No uncontrolled concurrent illness, medical condition, psychiatric illness, or social situation that would preclude study participation
* At least 6 months since prior chemotherapy
* Concurrent corticosteroid therapy allowed
* At least 6 months since prior radiotherapy to lesion or site of lesion
* At least 6 months since prior surgery to lesion or site of lesion except incisional or core biopsy
* Concurrent anticonvulsant therapy allowed
* No other concurrent investigational agents