Final answer:
Secondary lymphedema can develop after the latency stage due to damage to the lymphatic system, which can be related to infections, surgeries, or treatments like radiation, particularly in patients who have experienced diseases such as lymphoma.
Step-by-step explanation:
If a patient develops lymphedema after the latency stage, this condition is typically known as secondary lymphedema. During the latency stage of lymphatic disease, patients may not exhibit any symptoms, but the underlying dysfunction in the lymphatic system is already developing. Secondary lymphedema occurs as a result of damage to the lymphatic system, which might be due to infection, surgery, radiation therapy, or cancer treatment, among other causes. For instance, after the latency stage in diseases like lymphoma, where lymph nodes and vessels can be damaged, a person may experience lymphedema as part of the chronic phase of their condition.