Partial Breast Radiation Therapy in Treating Women Undergoing Breast-Conserving Therapy for Early Stage Breast Cancer

OBJECTIVES: * To determine the cosmetic outcome resulting from partial breast irradiation using two different techniques. * To determine patient satisfaction with partial breast irradiation as it pertains to their overall treatment experience as measured by a questionnaire. * To determine if there are patient factors that limit a patient's suitability to receive partial breast irradiation delivered by a particular technique. * To evaluate wound healing and overall complication rate after partial breast irradiation. * To determine ipsilateral breast tumor recurrence rates and tumor bed recurrence rates. OUTLINE: Patients undergo partial breast irradiation comprising either MammoSite® brachytherapy twice daily for 5-10 days OR 3-dimensional conformal radiotherapy twice daily for 5-10 days. After completion of study therapy, patients are followed periodically for up to 5 years.