DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Histologically confirmed, early stage, unilateral invasive breast cancer of TNM stages T0 - T3, N0-1, M0, i.e., Histologically proven axillary node metastases OR Lymph node negative Not locally advanced If supraclavicular node is enlarged or suspicious of metastasis, negative biopsy for supraclavicular node metastases required No evidence of any other metastases clinically or on routine staging investigations No past history of pure in situ carcinoma in either breast Primary tumor is completely excised