The invention comprises a method for treating a prostate to alleviate prostate cancer, benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), and other conditions. The method involves inserting a tool to create a small self-sealing puncture site through tissue to gain access to a portion of a prostate, inserting a probe though the puncture site into the prostate, activating the probe to treat the prostate, withdrawing the probe and inspecting a surgical site for a flow of urine or semen to determine whether a sufficient amount of prostate tissue has been treated, and inspecting for hemostasis. The method may also include delivering a luminally protective sheath before inserting any instruments, using a template to guide insertion of the probe, and delivery of tamponading balloons to assist with attainment of hemostasis after the coring procedure.