Vorinostat in Treating Patients With Progressive or Recurrent Glioblastoma Multiforme

This phase II trial is studying how well vorinostat works in treating patients with progressive or recurrent glioblastoma multiforme. Drugs used in chemotherapy, such as vorinostat, work in different ways to stop the growth of tumor cells, either by killing the cells or by stopping them from dividing. Vorinostat may also stop the growth of tumor cells by blocking some of the enzymes needed for cell growth. Giving vorinostat before surgery may make the tumor smaller and reduce the amount of normal tissue that needs to be removed. Giving it after surgery may kill any remaining tumor cells.