Microwave Thermotherapy in Treating Women With Stage I or Stage II Breast Cancer

You may be eligible if

• DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:
• Histologically confirmed primary breast cancer by core needle biopsy
• * T1a, b, c, or T2
• * Diagnosis not made with a lumpectomy or incisional biopsy
• Candidate for breast conservation surgery (lumpectomy/radiotherapy)
• Tumor measurable by breast ultrasound
• No metastatic disease, including skin metastases
• No bilateral breast cancer
• No high-probability of extensive intraductal disease in situ
• No clinical fixation to the pectoralis major muscle or skin
• No involvement of the nipple
• No inflammatory breast cancer
• No multicentric disease
• Hormone receptor status:
• * Not specified
• PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:
• Age:
• 18 and over
• Sex:
• Female
• Menopausal status:
• Not specified
• Performance status:
• Karnofsky 70-100%
• Life expectancy:
• At least 6 months
• Hematopoietic:
• Platelet count at least 100,000/mm\^3 (no thrombocytopenia)
• No bleeding disorders
• Hepatic:
• PT, INR, and PTT less than 1.5 times normal
• Bilirubin no greater than 2.0 mg/dL
• Transaminases no greater than 2 times normal
• No coagulopathy
• No liver disease
• Renal:
• BUN less than 30 mg/dL
• Creatinine less than 1.9 mg/dL
• No renal insufficiency
• Cardiovascular:
• No pacemakers or defibrillators
• No clinically significant heart disease
• Other:
• Not pregnant or nursing
• Negative pregnancy test
• Fertile patients must use 2 forms of effective contraception, including 1 barrier method
• Able to tolerate prone position and breast compression
• No breast implants
• No prior collagen vascular disease
• No other factor or condition (other than tumor size) that would preclude lumpectomy
• No mental condition that would preclude study
• PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:
• Biologic therapy:
• Not specified
• Chemotherapy:
• Not specified
• Endocrine therapy:
• Not specified
• Radiotherapy:
• See Disease Characteristics
• Surgery:
• See Disease Characteristics
• Other:
• No prior participation in this study
• More than 30 days since prior participation in another clinical study
• No concurrent anticoagulants