PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: 70 and under Sex: Female Menopausal status: Premenopausal, defined by 1 of the following criteria: Last menstrual period less than 1 year before surgery Under age 50 with prior hysterectomy (for nonmalignant reason) without bilateral oophorectomy Under age 50 and on continuous oral contraception If at variance with the above definitions, hormonal assays in the premenopausal range take precedence Performance status: Not specified Life expectancy: Not specified Hematopoietic: Not specified Hepatic: Not specified Renal: Not specified Other: Not pregnant or nursing No other serious illness No other prior invasive malignancy except adequately treated basal cell or squamous cell skin cancer