Do see the Varian website also at:
http://www.varian.com/index2.html

Varian Medical Systems Receives FDA 510(k) Clearance for New Dose
Calculator that Improves Accuracy of Radiotherapy Treatment Plans

"AAA" Algorithm refines treatment planning for tumors surrounded by
heterogeneous tissues

PALO ALTO, Calif., — August 2, 2004 — Varian Medical Systems (NYSE:
VAR) today announced that the company has received FDA 510(k)
clearance for a new "AAA" dose calculation algorithm in the company's
Eclipse™ 3D radiotherapy treatment planning software. The new AAA
algorithm improves radiation dose distributions in heterogeneous
areas of the body such as the lung, where bone, dense soft tissues,
and air pockets each interact with radiation in unique ways.

Eclipse is now the first software to offer clinicians both the AAA
and the electron Monte Carlo algorithms for planning radiotherapy
treatments. The electron Monte Carlo algorithm was added to
Eclipse last July for planning electron treatments of tumors close to
the skin.

"Our goal is to provide clinicians with advanced algorithms for every
form of radiation therapy," said Jeff Amacker, manager of Varian's
treatment planning business. "Doctors will be able to use the new
AAA algorithm to create more accurate treatment plans for cancers
like that of the lung. By adding the new AAA dose calculation
algorithm, we have taken another step in providing clinicians with
the tools to deliver fast, accurate treatments that are personalized
for every patient."

The Eclipse planning system with the AAA algorithm can produce a
treatment plan for a large tumor volume in less than a minute.

The "AAA" Algorithm Dose Calculation Option

As radiation, in the form of photons (X-rays), enters the body, it
interacts with tissues and generates electrons. "These scattered
electrons ultimately affect the amount of dose being deposited in and
near the targeted tumor," Amacker explained. "The AAA algorithm
calculates how the radiation will behave as it interacts with
different kinds of tissues, and accounts for the electron `scatter'
and resulting dose effects."

The AAA algorithm has been integrated to work seamlessly as part of
the Eclipse™ treatment planning system.

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About Varian Medical Systems
Varian Medical Systems, Inc., (NYSE:VAR) of Palo Alto, California is
the world's leading manufacturer of integrated cancer therapy
systems, which are treating thousands of patients per day. The
company is also a premier supplier of X-ray tubes and flat-panel
digital subsystems for imaging in medical, scientific, and industrial
applications. Varian Medical Systems employs approximately 3,160
people who are located at manufacturing sites in North America and
Europe and in its 56 sales and support offices around the world. In
its most recent fiscal year ended September 26, 2003, Varian Medical
Systems reported sales of over $1 billion. Additional information is
available on the company's web site at www.varian.com. (vrm368)


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Forward Looking Statements
Statements in this press release regarding future business, events,
plans, objectives, expectations, estimates, and other similar
matters, including, but not limited to, statements using the
terms "will choose" and "will be able to" constitute forward-looking
statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation
Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements contained in
this press release are subject to risks and uncertainties that could
cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated,
including, but not limited to, the risks described in the company's
Annual Report on Form 10-K and other reports filed from time to time
by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These
forward-looking statements represent the Company's judgment as of the
date of this press release. The Company assumes no obligation to
update or revise these forward-looking statements because of new
information, future events, or otherwise.


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