A urologist has failed to properly inform a man on prostate cancer treatment

The man opted for surgery rather than radiation, believing his cancer hadn't spread to surrounding lymph nodes.

After surgery and another clinical consultation, he discovered its spread was evident in the preoperative scan.

Health and Disability Commissioner Morag McDowell says surgery was appropriate - but the man hadn't enough knowledge to give informed consent.

She says they failed to provide the man him an appropriate explanation of his scan.