Disclosed is a method for the early detection of neoplasms in a patient and for assessing the danger represented by developing and/or spreading malignant neoplasms. The inventive method is characterized by the fact that the presence and quantity of antibodies (i) which bond to ganglioside structures and antigen structures simulating ganglioside structures, and (ii) the presence of which and/or the quantities of highly sensitive antibodies being significantly greater than in normal individuals correlating with the existence of a neoplasm and/or the patient's health being jeopardized by malignant neoplasms, is determined in a biological sample of the patient by using an assay that is highly sensitive to the antibodies that are to be determined.