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Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate whether nedaplatin-based concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) using high-dose-rate intracavitary brachytherapy (HDR-ICBT) is superior to radiotherapy (RT) alone in patients with FIGO stage IIIb cervical cancer. Methods: The records of 41 consecutive women treated either with nedaplatin-based CCRT using HDR-ICBT (n = 20) or RT alone (nonrandomized control group, n = 21) for stage IIIb cervical cancer were retrospectively reviewed. The activity and toxicity were compared between the two treatment groups. Progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were the main endpoints. Results: The 5-year overall survival rates in the CCRT and RT groups were 65 and 33.3%, respectively. The median OS of the CCRT and RT groups were 60 and 29 months, respectively. CCRT was significantly superior to RT alone with regard to PFS (p = 0.0015) and OS (p = 0.0364). The frequency of acute grade 3–4 toxicity was significantly higher in the CCRT group than in the RT group. However, no statistically significant difference was observed with regard to severe late toxicity. Conclusions: Nedaplatin-based concurrent chemoradiotherapy was safely performed and significantly improved the prognosis of patients with FIGO stage IIIb cervical cancer. This treatment can be considered as an alternative to cisplatin-based chemoradiotherapy in this patient population.

Three large blast furnaces of NKK have been shifted to the operation without liquid fuel one after another since January, 1980, and the oil-less operation of all blast furnaces was finally achieved in April, 1980. Fukuyama No. 3 Blast Furnace (3223m3), has been operated with increased blast volume and higher blast temperature in order to solve operational problems and achieve improved operation. Although increased slips and fluctuations in blast pressure have been often observed in the operations when the flame temperature is high, all furnaces have been in smooth operation owing to the proper gas distribution control and furnace heat control. By the calculations based on operational results, a productivity of as high as 2.3t/m3/d can be expected on a monthly averaged value in all-coke operation.