Combination Chemotherapy in Treating Older Women With Metastatic Breast Cancer

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Histologically confirmed metastatic adenocarcinoma of the breast Bidimensionally measurable or evaluable disease At least one non-irradiated lesion that is at least 2 cm in the greater diameter OR Serous drainage, cutaneous metastasis, osseous metastasis, etc. No symptomatic cerebral metastasis Hormone receptor status: Not specified PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: 75 to 90 Sex: Female Menopausal status: Postmenopausal Performance status: WHO 0-2 Life expectancy: At least 3 months Hematopoietic: Platelet count at least 100,000/mm^3 Absolute neutrophil count at least 1,500/mm^3 Hepatic: Alkaline phosphatase less than 3 times normal Bilirubin less than 1.5 times normal Transaminases less than 3 times normal Total protein greater than 60% Albumin greater than 30 g/L Renal: Creatinine clearance greater than 60 mL/min Cardiovascular: LVEF greater than 50% by echocardiogram or scintigraph ECG normal No uncontrolled angina No myocardial infarction within past 6 months Other: No other medical illness or condition that would preclude study No other prior malignancy except basal cell skin cancer or curatively treated carcinoma in situ of the cervix No psychological, social, familial, or geographical reasons that would preclude study PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: Not specified Chemotherapy: Prior adjuvant chemotherapy allowed No prior adjuvant anthracyclines No prior chemotherapy for metastatic disease Endocrine therapy: One or two prior regimens of hormonal therapy allowed for metastatic disease Radiotherapy: No prior radiotherapy for metastatic disease Surgery: Not specified Other: No concurrent participation in another study