DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Histologically proven unilateral, invasive breast cancer Stage T0-3, N0-1, M0 No evidence of distant disease, including ipsilateral supraclavicular node enlargement unless proven benign No carcinoma in situ alone, including Paget's disease of the nipple without underlying invasion No evidence of distant disease, including ipsilateral supraclavicular node enlargement unless proven benign No history of pure carcinoma in situ in either breast Hormone receptor status: Not specified