This randomized phase II trial is studying how well neoadjuvant and adjuvant fenretinide works compared to adjuvant fenretinide alone in treating patients who are undergoing surgical resection for recurrent glioblastoma multiforme. Chemotherapy drugs, such as fenretinide, work in different ways to stop tumor cells from dividing so they stop growing or die. Giving chemotherapy before surgery may shrink the tumor so that it can be removed. Giving chemotherapy after surgery may kill any remaining tumor cells. It is not yet known whether neoadjuvant and adjuvant fenretinide is more effective than adjuvant fenretinide alone