Ceramide Cream in Treating Women With Cutaneous Breast Cancer

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Histologically or cytologically confirmed cutaneous breast cancer for which no curative or significantly palliative therapy exists including chest wall radiotherapy Measurable disease Disease progression after at least 1 hormonal therapy for estrogen receptor positive disease and after radiotherapy if chest wall disease has been previously irradiated No infection at site of cutaneous metastatic disease Hormone receptor status: Estrogen receptor status known PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: 18 and over Sex: Female Menopausal status: Not specified Performance status: ECOG 0-3 Life expectancy: At least 12 weeks Hematopoietic: Not specified Hepatic: Not specified Renal: Not specified Other: Not pregnant or nursing Negative pregnancy test Fertile patients must use effective contraception PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: No concurrent biologic therapy during first 2 months of study Chemotherapy: No other concurrent local antineoplastic therapy for cutaneous disease No concurrent systemic chemotherapy during first 2 months of study Endocrine therapy: See Disease Characteristics Radiotherapy: See Disease Characteristics At least 4 weeks since prior radiotherapy No concurrent radiotherapy during first 2 months of study except for CNS disease Surgery: Not specified