DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Histologically confirmed epithelial carcinoma of the breast metastatic to any organ except brain, including ipsilateral supraclavicular (not axillary) lymph nodes and chest wall No apocrine, adenocystic, squamous cell carcinoma, sarcoma, or lymphoma Measurable or evaluable disease No stage IV disease rendered nonassessable by surgery No symptomatic CNS disease Hormone receptor status: Must have biological and/or immunocytochemical receptor assays for estrogen and progesterone reported