Statement: eligibility for the primary clinical trial extends to patients with extracranial metastases
Primary_evidence: DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:   Histologically or cytologically confirmed breast cancer with radiographically confirmed metastases to the brain   Extracranial metastases allowed   Must have demonstrated progression of brain metastases after prior treatment for brain metastases, including any of the following:   External beam radiotherapy   Brachytherapy   Stereotactic radiosurgery   Surgery   Chemotherapy   Treatments with investigational drugs, biologics, or devices   Disease progression in the CNS must meet  1 of the following criteria:   New lesions in the CNS on an imaging study (contrast-enhanced CT scan or MRI)   Progressive lesions on an imaging study (contrast-enhanced CT scan or MRI)   New or progressive lesions that do not meet measurable disease definition allowed   Leptomeningeal disease allowed if concurrent progression or parenchymal brain metastases   Not a candidate for surgical resection and/or further stereotactic radiosurgery   Hormone receptor status not specified   PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:   Menopausal status not specified   ECOG performance status 0-2   Life expectancy  1 month   Hemoglobin  10 g/dL (transfusion allowed)   ANC  1,500/mm³   Granulocyte count  1,500/mm³   Platelet count  100,000/mm³   Creatinine  1.5 mg/dL   Total bilirubin  1.5 times upper limit of normal (ULN)   AST and ALT  3 times ULN   Must be able to swallow and retain oral medications   No other active malignancy except for any of the following:   Curatively treated basal or squamous cell carcinoma of the skin   Carcinoma in situ of the cervix   Other malignancies considered disease-free   Not pregnant or nursing   Negative pregnancy test   Fertile patients must use effective contraception   No history of immediate or delayed-type hypersensitivity reaction to gadolinium contrast agents or other contraindication to gadolinium contrast   No other known contraindication to MRI including, but not limited to, any of the following:   Cardiac pacemaker   Implanted cardiac defibrillator   Brain aneurysm clips   Cochlear implant   Ocular foreign body   Shrapnel   No active or uncontrolled infection   PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:   See Disease Characteristics   Recovered from the side effects of prior chemotherapy, surgery, or radiotherapy for extracranial disease or brain metastases   Concurrent trastuzumab, bisphosphonate, and/or corticosteroid therapy allowed   At least 1 week since prior or on current stable dose of corticosteroid therapy   Patients on an enzyme-inducing anti-epileptic agent (EIAE) or valproic acid are eligible if they are switched to an alternate non-EIAE medication   Concurrent coumadin allowed   No prophylactic use of filgrastim (G-CSF) during first course of treatment