PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: Not specified Menopausal status: Postmenopausal Performance status: ECOG 0-2 Life expectancy: At least 6 months Hematopoietic: Absolute neutrophil count at least 1,500/mm3 Platelet count at least 100,000/mm3 Hemoglobin greater than 9.0 g/dL Hepatic: Bilirubin no greater than 1.5 times upper limit of normal (ULN) AST no greater than 3 times ULN (no greater than 5 times ULN if liver metastases present) PT and PTT no greater than 1.25 times ULN Renal: Creatinine no greater than 1.5 times ULN Cardiovascular: No deep vein thrombosis, retinal vein thrombosis, or stroke within past year No unstable angina or myocardial infarction within past 6 months Pulmonary: No pulmonary embolism within past year Other: Not pregnant or nursing No other major illness or condition that would preclude study