Vinorelbine in Treating Older Women With Stage IV Breast Cancer

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

* Histologically or cytologically confirmed stage IV breast cancer
* Eligible to receive first- or second-line chemotherapy
* At least 1 unidimensionally measurable lesion

  * At least 20 mm in longest diameter
  * Must be completely outside prior irradiation port unless there is proof of progressive disease after completion of prior radiotherapy
* No untreated brain metastases

  * Current metastatic CNS disease allowed only if previously treated and clinically stable at study entry
* No meningeal carcinomatosis
* Hormone receptor status:

  * Not specified

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

Age:

* 65 and over

Sex:

* Female

Menopausal status:

* Not specified

Performance status:

* ECOG 0-2

Life expectancy:

* At least 12 weeks

Hematopoietic:

* Absolute neutrophil count at least 1,500/mm\^3
* Platelet count at least 100,000/mm\^3

Hepatic:

* Total bilirubin no greater than 1.5 times upper limit of normal (ULN) OR
* Direct bilirubin normal if total bilirubin elevated or less than 2.5 times ULN because of Gilbert's syndrome

Renal:

* Creatinine no greater than 2 times ULN

Other:

* No grade 2 or greater peripheral neuropathy
* No other significant medical condition that would preclude study
* No active infection within the past 2 weeks
* No dysphagia or inability to swallow intact capsules

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

Biologic therapy:

* Not specified

Chemotherapy:

* See Disease Characteristics
* No more than 1 prior chemotherapy regimen for metastatic disease
* No prior vinca alkaloids
* At least 4 weeks since other prior chemotherapy and recovered

Endocrine therapy:

* Prior hormonal therapy allowed
* No concurrent hormonal therapy

Radiotherapy:

* See Disease Characteristics
* No prior radiotherapy to 25% or more of bone marrow
* At least 3 weeks since prior radiotherapy and recovered

Surgery:

* At least 3 weeks since prior major surgery