MRI-Guided Ultrasound Energy in Treating Patients With Stage I, Stage II, or Stage IIIA Breast Cancer

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

Histologically confirmed invasive breast cancer (T1, N0-2, M0)
Single focal lesion no greater than 3.5 cm in diameter by MRI
No lesions difficult to target, defined as less than 1 cm from skin, nipple, or rib cage
No microcalcifications as sole sign of disease
No extensive intraductal components on core biopsy, defined as intraductal carcinoma comprising 25% or more of the invasive breast cancer AND intraductal carcinoma in surrounding normal tissue
No breast implants

Hormone receptor status:

Not specified

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

Age:

18 and over

Sex:

Female

Menopausal status:

Not specified

Performance status:

Karnofsky 80-100%

Life expectancy:

At least 5 years

Hematopoietic:

No hemolytic anemia (hematocrit less than 30%)

Hepatic:

Not specified

Renal:

Not specified

Cardiovascular:

No heart disease
No unstable angina pectoris requiring medication
No myocardial infarction within the past 6 months
No congestive heart failure requiring medication
No diastolic blood pressure greater than 100 mm Hg while receiving medication to treat hypertension
No cerebrovascular accident (CVA) within the past 6 months
No multiple CVAs
No cardiac pacemakers

Pulmonary:

No chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
No other lung disease
No sleep apnea or airway problems
No severe asthma

Other:

Not pregnant or nursing
Fertile patients must use effective contraception
No contraindications to MRI (e.g., implanted medical devices)
Must be able to lie prone and still for up to 150 minutes
Weight no greater than 250 pounds
No severe arthritis
No severe claustrophobia
No grand mal seizures
No insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus
No prior reaction to gadolinium-based contrast agent
Able to communicate sensations during procedure

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

Biologic therapy:

Not specified

Chemotherapy:

At least 3 months since prior chemotherapy

Endocrine therapy:

Concurrent hormone replacement therapy allowed
Concurrent tamoxifen allowed
No concurrent steroids

Radiotherapy:

No prior external radiotherapy or laser therapy to ipsilateral breast

Surgery:

See Disease Characteristics

Other:

No concurrent anti-arrhythmic drugs
No concurrent immunosuppressive medication
No concurrent anticoagulation therapy
No concurrent dialysis