DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Histologically confirmed epithelial carcinoma of the breast Metastatic disease including ipsilateral supraclavicular lymph nodes and the chest wall (no axillary nodes) Measurable or evaluable (bone only) disease on exam or radiography No apocrine, adenocystic, squamous cell carcinoma, sarcoma, or lymphoma No symptomatic CNS disease or clinical evidence of CNS metastases Surgically accessible disease Hormone receptor status: Progesterone or estrogen receptor status known