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

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