Tamoxifen or Letrozole in Treating Women With Ductal Carcinoma in Situ

You may be eligible if

• DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:
• Diagnosis of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) on core biopsy
• No evidence of contralateral breast disease or palpable masses on breast examination
• No presence or suspicion of invasive cancer, including contralateral invasive cancer, on core biopsy and MRI
• No documented ipsilateral axillary adenopathy
• Planning to undergo lumpectomy or mastectomy
• Estrogen receptor (ER)-positive tumor by immunohistochemistry
• PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:
• Female patient
• Premenopausal or postmenopausal
• * Postmenopausal is defined by any of the following:
• * No spontaneous menses for \>= 1 year
• * Bilateral oophorectomy
• * Radiation castration and amenorrheic for \>= 3 months
• * Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) \> 20 IU/L AND off all hormonal therapy (e.g., hormone replacement therapy or birth control pills) for \>= 1 month
• Not pregnant or nursing
• Negative pregnancy test
• Fertile patients must use effective contraception
• No co-morbidities contraindicating the use of tamoxifen, including any of the following:
• * Prior history of thrombotic events
• * History of hypercoagulable state
• * History of endometrial hyperplasia
• * Abnormal vaginal bleeding
• No history of contrast dye-related allergies/reactions
• No history of metal-containing prostheses or implants
• PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:
• See Disease Characteristics