Neoadjuvant and Adjuvant Exemestane in Treating Postmenopausal Women With Locally Advanced Hormone Receptor-Positive Breast Cancer

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Histologically or cytologically confirmed breast cancer Locally advanced disease (stage II or III) Not amenable to breast-conserving therapy at the time of diagnosis Measurable disease meeting 1 of the following criteria: Bidimensionally measurable palpable lesion at least 1 cm by caliper Unidimensionally measurable lesion at least 1 cm by a positive mammogram, ultrasound, or MRI No evidence of disease outside the breast or chest wall except ipsilateral axillary lymph nodes Hormone receptor status: Estrogen and/or progesterone receptor positive PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age Postmenopausal Sex Female Menopausal status Postmenopausal, defined as any of the following: Over 60 years of age Over 45 years of age with an intact uterus and amenorrhea for more than 12 months Prior hysterectomy with follicle-stimulating hormone levels within the postmenopausal range Prior ovarian ablation (i.e., bilateral surgical) Performance status ECOG 0-3 Life expectancy Not specified Hematopoietic Not specified Hepatic Bilirubin less than 1.5 times upper limit of normal (ULN) Renal Creatinine less than 2 mg/dL Other No other prior or concurrent cancer except nonmetastatic nonmelanoma skin cancer, carcinoma in situ of the cervix, or cancer cured by surgery within the past 5 years PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy No prior biologic therapy for breast cancer Chemotherapy No prior chemotherapy for breast cancer Endocrine therapy No prior hormonal therapy for breast cancer Radiotherapy No prior radiotherapy for breast cancer Surgery Not specified