Affected individuals are also at increased risk of developing tumors in tissues other than skin - particularly benign or malignant tumors of the salivary glands.
Salivary alpha amylase levels have been found to correlate with heightened autonomic nervous system activity levels, reacting in similar ways to the hormone norepinephrine.
The esophagus passes through this nerve ring on its way back to the stomach; the esophageal pouches and salivary glands are located entirely before it.