SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

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                                    FORM 8-K

                                 CURRENT REPORT
                     PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
                         SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

Date of report (Date of earliest event reported)    December 8, 2004

                          VARIAN MEDICAL SYSTEMS, INC.
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             (Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

          Delaware                      1-7598                   94-2359345     
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(State or Other Jurisdiction       (Commission File            (IRS Employer
      of Incorporation)                Number)               Identification No.)

3100 Hansen Way, Palo Alto, CA                                    94304-1030
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(Address of Principal Executive Offices)                          (Zip Code)

Registrant's telephone number, including area code    (650) 493-4000

                                 Not Applicable
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          (Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to
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|_|   Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17
      CFR 230.425)
 
|_|   Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR
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|_|   Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the
      Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
 
|_|   Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the
      Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))



Item 7.01. Regulation FD Disclosure.

      On December 8, 2004, Varian Medical Systems, Inc. (the "Company") issued a
press release regarding Varian Medical Systems Schedules Annual Stockholder
Meeting In Palo Alto. The Company's Board of Directors has set the regular
Annual Meeting of Stockholders for February 17, 2005 with a record date of
December 20, 2004. The meeting will be held at the Sheraton Palo Alto, 625 El
Camino Real, Palo Alto, California at 1:00 p.m. PT. A copy of the press release
is attached as Exhibit 99.1 and incorporated herein by reference.

Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.

      (c)   Exhibits.

                  99.1 Press Release dated December 8, 2004 regarding Varian
Medical Systems Schedules Annual Stockholder Meeting In Palo Alto.


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                                   SIGNATURES

      Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

                                  Varian Medical Systems, Inc.

                                  By:    /s/ JOSEPH B. PHAIR
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                                  Name:  Joseph B. Phair
                                  Title: Vice President, Administration, General
                                         Counsel and Secretary

Dated: December 9, 2004


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                                  EXHIBIT INDEX

Number                                      Exhibit
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 99.1             Press Release dated December 8, 2004 regarding Varian Medical
                  Systems Schedules Annual Stockholder Meeting In Palo Alto.